MX23RW : Saturday, May 25 12:31:52| >> :600:401404:401404:

Vincent Kompany: 'I have given everything for Manchester City'

Vincent Kompany: 'I have given everything for Man City'
© Reuters
Captain is leaving after 11 glorious years.

Vincent Kompany said he had "given everything" to Manchester City as he bade an emotional farewell to the club in front of 100,000 fans.

The long-serving captain announced on Sunday was leaving City after 11 successful years to take up the role of player-manager at Anderlecht.

Consequently the 33-year-old was the star of the show as City celebrated this season's historic treble with an open-top bus parade through Manchester city centre on Monday.

Manchester City's Vincent Kompany listens to a message from Noel Gallagher
Manchester City's Vincent Kompany listens to a message from Noel Gallagher (Nick Potts/PA)

Speaking as the parade culminated with a stage show outside Manchester Cathedral, the Belgian said: "I've given everything I could for this club. I can't tell you how proud of that I am. I have nothing left. I have given everything."

Kompany's future had been the subject of speculation for some time but he realised the time was right to leave when he scored a spectacular winner against Leicester earlier this month.

Kompany's long-range strike, in their penultimate game of the season, took City within one game of retaining their Premier League title.

He said: "The moment that ball against Leicester went 'top bins' I knew I was done! I couldn't do anything better. It felt right."

Kompany said his Leicester wonder goal told him it was time to leave
Kompany said his Leicester wonder goal told him it was time to leave (Nick Potts/PA)

The Belgian now expects the club to go on to even greater success in the future.

Kompany, who ended his speech with a 'mic drop', said: "Eleven years at this club, what a journey we've been on. We were always a great club without silverware but now we've got silverware and I'm really proud.

"This group of players – we've given you something you deserved for a long time. Now this team is ready to achieve so much more."

Kompany won 10 major trophies during his time with City, culminating with Saturday's FA Cup final victory over Watford.

Pep Guardiola plans to enjoy himself
Pep Guardiola plans to enjoy himself (Nick Potts/PA)

Manager Pep Guardiola paid tribute to his captain and tipped him to return to City in some capacity in the future.

He said: "I think we're going to miss him a lot. I'm going to miss him but he is going to see us in the future because he is coming back sooner or later.

"It's the best way to say goodbye after an incredible season together. He was a real captain, he helped us a lot. We're going to show him how we love him."

Guardiola, who was wearing a flat cap in tribute to the late Bernard Halford, the club's life president who died recently, said he had thought "zero" about next season.

He said: "Now it's time to have good food, good wine and enjoy this incredible season together. In a few weeks we are going to think about it. Now we are going to enjoy what we have done."

Organisers of the event estimated the crowd to be around 100,000. Banners branded City as 'The Fourmidables', reflecting their treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup along with the Community Shield.

It was the first time any side had completed a clean sweep of all the domestic trophies. City were also joined by their victorious women's side, who won an FA Cup and League Cup double.


Click here for more stories about Vincent Kompany

Click here for more stories about Manchester City

Share this article now:
Leeds United's Jack Harrison celebrates scoring their first goal against Sheffield Wednesday on April 13, 2019
Read Next:
Leeds 'told £20m to sign Jack Harrison'
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Click here to log in with Facebook and add your favourite team's news and scores to this panel

6

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
/esi/758/0/index.html - esi:0:site:0:-p-: {0}: - :T758:-: {0}: < ! - - T  758 {0} - - >  : 
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38322495237298
2Liverpool38307189226797
3Chelsea38219863392472
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs382321367392871
5Arsenal382171073512270
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd381991065541166
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38169134746157
8Everton38159145446854
9Leicester CityLeicester38157165148352
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham38157165255-352
11Watford38148165259-750
12Crystal Palace38147175153-249
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle38129174248-645
14Bournemouth38136195670-1445
15Burnley38117204568-2340
16Southampton38912174565-2039
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3899203560-2536
RCardiff CityCardiff38104243469-3534
RFulham3875263481-4726
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3837282276-5416

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account