Championship club Burnley have officially installed former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany as their new manager.
Kompany, who spent 11 years at the Etihad Stadium, winning 12 trophies in the process, has filled the void that was vacated by Sean Dyche back in April. The Clarets, despite taking their fight for survival to the final day of the season, were relegated this season, bringing their six-year stay in the Premier League to an end.
It means Kompany, who left his role as Anderlecht manager last month amid ongoing speculation linking him with the job at Turf Moor, will be tasked with trying to lead the club back to the top-flight at the first time of asking. Burnley won the Championship title the last time they were in the division back in 2015/16 (follow live updates on Kompany's announcement via LancsLive here).
READ MORE: Erling Haaland already has an advantage other Man City signings haven't had
"Burnley Football Club is a truly historic English side and it is an honour to be appointed first-team manager," Kompany told Burnley's club website. "I'm excited by the challenge ahead.
"I'm looking forward to getting to work with the players and creating a positive, winning team for our fans when we return to Turf Moor. I've been impressed by the board's vision for the club which aligns with my own and I look forward to playing my part as we enter an important season."
As well as being tasked with trying to lead the club back to the Premier League, Kompany, who scored one goal against the Clarets as a player during his City career, will also have to take on the challenge of trying to rebuild the squad. Relegation has meant big changes have already been made at Turf Moor this summer, with senior figures Phil Bardsley, James Tarkowski, Ben Mee, Erik Pieters, Dale Stephens and Aaron Lennon all set to leave the club when their contracts expire on June 30.
Nevertheless, Clarets chairman Alan Pace is delighted to have installed Kompany as the club's new manager, saying: "We are absolutely delighted to welcome Vincent to Burnley Football Club. Vincent is a proven leader and I've been very impressed with his ideas for Burnley Football Club, his appetite to succeed and his focus on leading the club back to the Premier League.
"Vincent has shown impressive credentials in leading one of Belgium's biggest teams back to European football and a cup final last season and we've been excited by his philosophy, approach and ambition for the club."
Unsurprisingly, given Kompany's popularity as a player throughout his City career, Blues fans have reacted on social media to the news, sending him a wealth of supportive messages. Below, MEN Sport has taken a close look at what they have had to say:
Sign up to our City newsletter so you never miss an update from the Etihad Stadium this season.
