MANCHESTER:
Vincent KompanyA return to Manchester City as manager one day is “written in the stars” according to Pep Guardiola as he prepares to take his first player to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Kompany has made a big impression in his first season in charge of Burnley, with his side 12 points clear at the top of the second Championship.
The former City captain will return to the Etihad in the last eight of the FA Cup in two weeks’ time.
“He will come back sooner or later. I think his fate as manager of Manchester City is already written in the stars,” said Guardiola on Friday.
“It will happen, I don’t know when, but it will happen.”
“My feeling is, maybe I’m wrong. But he has the qualities – work, understanding of the game, respect, experience.
“To do what he did is very difficult and he is doing it very well. He knows the club, the environment, the fans, what our people need. The result is there.”
The immediate concern is the current City Manager Guardiola a Premier League game at home to Newcastle on Saturday.
Champions City are five points behind leaders Arsenal and cannot afford too many more slips in the final 13 games of the season if they want to. they keep their name.
Backed by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, fifth-placed Newcastle are in the running to qualify for the Champions League.
But the Magpies have won just once in the league in 2023 and missed out on a long-awaited trophy when they lost to Manchester United in the League Cup final at the weekend.
“From what I’ve seen recently, even in the Carabao (League) Cup final Manchester Unitedthey are one of the most difficult opponents we will have until the end of the season,” added Guardiola.
“In terms of experience, threat, transition, and set-pieces they are the best team in the league.
“That’s why they were there all season. It happened last season and this season. They took a step forward. It looks like they came to stay here.”
City could be boosted by the return of defenders John Stones and Aymeric Laporte, with Guardiola confirming that all the centre-backs are back in training.
.
Leave a Reply