‘My players NOW understand the hard work they have to do’: Vincent Kompany vows to make Man City’s 6-0 FA Cup GOOD as he tells Burnley stars to ‘take up’ the challenge as they look to seal the deal promotion
- Vincent Kompany says his Burnley players will learn from their 6-0 defeat
- Burnley is the leader of the Championship but was thrashed by Manchester City
- Kompany did not comment on the suggestions about him eventually managing City.
Vinny Kompany has vowed to use his sobering return to The Etihad as a useful wake-up call for his Championship leaders.
Kompany, the most successful captain in Manchester City history, received a hero’s welcome before kick-off but then saw his side thrashed 6-0 with Erling Haaland scoring a hat-trick.
“My players now understand the hard work they have to do,” he said. “We came here 13 points clear at the top of our league and had a good game in the EFL Cup at Old Trafford, but it’s important to remember that we’re number 21 in English football, not number one.”
‘The work we have to do is incredible, but we have to accept it. I am a Championship coach of a Championship team. We have such an exciting journey to improve and I have kept these moments in my mind to help us.
‘If I could play this game 10 times in a row, I would, until we could find a way. These games are sometimes much better (for learning) than any other type.
Kompany admitted he was not at all surprised by how intensely his former club played to reach the semi-final, even though it was just days after he was involved in a Champions League tie against Leipzig.
Vincent Kompany insists Burnley will learn from their 6-0 defeat against Manchester City
Burnley are Championship leaders but suffered a heavy defeat to City in the FA Cup
Many of the City players were my teammates. He knew how they would approach it. I know his mentality and the pressure to perform all the time. The expectations are very high,’ he said.
“I thought we interrupted their flow in the first half, but the second half was what they expected. It’s always a place I’m proud to return to, and I was proud to be there with Burnley.’
Kompany declined to comment on suggestions that he could eventually replace Pep Guardiola.
At 36, Kompany feels that talk of one day replacing Pep Guardiola at the Etihad is premature.
I’m not going to stop people from saying what they do, but I am the manager of a championship club. I’m so happy to do that and it’s the only thing I can focus on.