Following a historic treble, we were all heart broken hearing Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany leaving his second home. The Belgian international could not have done better than this. After his news of leaving City went official, the Citizens were all broken.
Vincent Kompany, you truly are a legend. On behalf of the Citizens I an grateful to you for giving us these wonderful years of football as much as I am heart-broken of seeing you exit.
The Belgian international is all tears too leaving the club and his feelings could no better be expressed than the words of master, himself.
Presenting you the letter:
“Dear all,
“Community Shield Winners! Back 2 back League Cup Winners! Back 2 back Champions of England! FA Cup Winners!”
“We’ve just seen the close of an incredible season. My 11th as a Blue. And I cannot believe I’m writing this but … also my last as a Blue.
“Countless of times have I imagined this day, after all, the end has felt nearby for so many years.”
“It still doesn’t feel real. Man City has given me everything. I’ve tried to give back as much as I possibly could.”
“How often does someone get the chance to end such an important chapter, representing a club with such great history and tradition, in such a great fashion?”
“The time has come for me to go now.”
“As overwhelming as it is, I feel nothing but gratefulness. I am grateful to all those who supported me on a special journey, at a very special club.
“I remember the first day, as clear as I see the last. I remember the boundless kindness I received from the people of Manchester.”
“I will never forget how all Man City supporters remained loyal to me in good times and especially bad times. Against the odds you have always backed me and inspired me to never give up.”
“Sheikh Mansour changed my life and that of all the City fans around the world, for that I am forever grateful. A blue nation has arisen and challenged the established order of things, I find that awesome.”
“I cherish the counsel and leadership of a good human being, Khaldoon Al Mubarak. Man City could not be in better hands.”
“I also want to use this platform to express the love that I have for my nearest and dearest.”
“It knows no boundaries. Carla, Sienna, Sire and Kai, the one and only quadruple that matters. My dad (Pierre), Christel and François, my true Invincibles.”
“I live with only one regret. I would have loved to take my mother, Jocelyne, to the Etihad, seeing her chant the City songs sat next to my children and wife. I would have wanted her to see me happy, playing the game that I love at a club that I love. Deep down, I know she’s been with us through all this time.”
Kompany continued his words in another post he calls Part 2,
“And yet I choose to rebel against what an end wants to be. I choose to be grateful for the past but remain ambitious and driven for the future. For the next 3 years, I will take up the role of Player-Manager of RSC Anderlecht. Belgium’s finest.
“This may come as a surprise to you. It’s the most passionate yet rational decision I’ve ever made.
“As a footballer, I was born and raised at RSC Anderlecht. Since the age of 6, I have been one with that club. A history of 34 league titles, they are second to none.
“The background to this story… Belgian entrepreneur Marc Coucke acquired the club from the Vanden Stock family in December 2017.
What followed was a post take-over set back for a club that seemed robust but proved fragile. Although the take-over triggered a positive new vibe, sporting results did not follow.
“I stopped at their training grounds on my way to international duty last year. Just to say hello. Coucke, the chairman, and Sports Director Michael Verschueren asked my opinion regarding the difficult situation the club was in. I shared my thoughts and listened to their vision for the future: ambitious, courageous and determined to get back to n°1. I offered my help, no strings attached, should they need it.
“Later on in the season, newly appointed Technical Director Frank Arnesen joined and we organized some technical sessions on how to build a strong playing identity based on attractive, attacking football. RSCA has a tradition of having fantastic youth. You could say they have the past and the future, but struggle with the present.
“Not so long ago, I took a call from RSC Anderlecht. Quite unexpectedly, they offered me the position of Player-Manager. Michael and Frank explained to me in detail how they saw it working in practice. They had thought it through. Mr. Coucke, the owner, pledged full support: time, budget, framework, staff, facilities … I was left not only impressed, but also intrigued by this sign of confidence in me. It got me thinking.
“The end of this season couldn’t be more memorable. I have lived the dream here. I have learned so much the last 3 years. From an incredible manager. Pep Guardiola reignited my love for the game. I’ve witnessed, participated, analyzed, absorbed, studied. Man City play the football I want to play. It is the football I want to teach and to see played.
“I have decided to take up the challenge at RSC Anderlecht. Player-Manager. I want to share my knowledge with the next purple generations. With that, I will also put a bit of Manchester in the heart of Belgium.
“This is no goodbye. It’s a see you later. Et pour les Mauves, voor alle Anderlecht fans: tot binnenkort, à très bientôt.
“Love, Vincent.”
Going down in the history as greatest Manchester City defender, Vincent Kompany will always be missed.
