Vincent Kompany looks set to snub any approach from Tottenham or Chelsea and has informed his backroom staff that he is staying at Burnley next season, according to reports. The 37-year-old has emerged as one of the main names in the frame to take over in north London, while he is also considered a back-up option for Chelsea if a deal for Mauricio Pochettino collapses at the last minute. Kompany has secured promotion straight back to the Premier League in his first season with Burnley, playing an attacking brand of football and developing a host of young players.
The former centre-back signed a ‘four to five-year contract’ with the Clarets last summer, which means he is contracted to the club until 2026 with the option for an additional year if all parties want it. Burnley have actually been placed under a transfer embargo but the club are confident that was only the result of an administrative error that is being rectified and are hopeful they will be able to back Kompany in the summer window.
Kompany has already informed his backroom team of his decision and is planning for life in the Premier League with Burnley next season. He has repeatedly dismissed speculation over his future, telling talkSPORT this weekend: ‘The only thing I see it as is a wasted question. I always feel sorry for the journalist that is asking me the question because you are getting nothing. I made this decision before even starting the season that I was never going to get involved in speculation. I think the biggest respect you can have is for people you are working with, to show that you are completely dedicated to what they have entrusted you to do.’
Tottenham’s hierarchy are thought to appreciate the job Kompany has done at Burnley but have put former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann and Feyenoord’s Arne Slot above him on their shortlist. Chelsea, meanwhile, had included Kompany on their whittled-down, final four-man list of potential candidates but now look set to appoint Pochettino. Despite already earning the chance to test himself in the top-flight next season, Kompany has been heavily linked with a move away as both Spurs and Chelsea were tempted by the possibility of the Belgian having a Mikel Arteta-like impact at their clubs. Kompany, of course, spent several years playing under and learning from Pep Guardiola and has quickly marked himself out as a young coach with a very bright future.