Burnley have achieved promotion back to the Premier League with seven games remaining, leaving manager Vincent Kompany to declare that they can “go for more”. The Clarets’ 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough on Friday secured their return to the top flight after one season away. Kompany, 36, expressed his delight at the team’s success, saying that the players were “celebrating like kids”. With just 11 points needed from their final seven matches to win the Championship title, and 13 points to become the first team to break the 100-point barrier since Leicester City in 2013-14, Kompany believes that the team can now aim even higher.
The club had been facing financial issues after being relegated last year and receiving a £65m loan from American finance company MSD Holdings, a “significant proportion” of which was said to have to be repaid. However, Kompany’s impressive management has seen the side win 25 and lose just two of their 39 league matches so far, allowing the financial issues to be overshadowed by their performance on the pitch. Chairman Alan Pace praised Kompany for his work, describing the club’s promotion as a “complete surprise”.
Forward Ashley Barnes, who scored the Clarets’ first goal, said that this was “the end of my era as a Burnley player”. He expressed his delight at being able to give something back to the fans, who have been through “some tough times”. Barnes is now looking forward to finishing off the job and becoming champions.