Kompany was our Club captain between 2011 and 2019, leading us to four Premier League titles and becoming widely recognised as one of the greatest players in City’s history.
The Belgian’s contribution to our Club is remembered in a statue outside the Etihad Stadium.
City v Newcastle United | Match preview
Since leaving City, Kompany has cut his teeth as a Head Coach with his first club Anderlecht and he is now in charge of runaway Championship leaders Burnley.
Kompany’s first return to the Etihad Stadium as a member of the opposition will come later this month when we face Burnley in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Ahead of that meeting, Guardiola spoke of his admiration for the 36-year-old.
He also stated his belief that Kompany is set for the City dugout at some point in the future.
“Personally, I am delighted for his success in Burnley,” said Guardiola in Friday’s press conference.
“He will be back sooner or later. His destiny to be manager of City is already written in the stars. It’s going to happen. I don’t know when but it’s going to happen.
“It will be quarter-finals of the FA Cup, an incredible chance to reach the semi-finals at Wembley. We will try to compete against Vinnie and his team.”
While our boss has kept in touch with Kompany, he says he does not know if our former defender hopes to manage the Club one day.
“No. It’s my feeling. Maybe I am wrong,” he said.
Guardiola is in his seventh season in Manchester and spent the first three campaigns working closely with Kompany.
Given that relationship, the Catalan is better placed than most to evaluate the skills that have aided Kompany’s successful transition into management and the characteristics that would make him the perfect City manager.
“He has a lot of attributes,” he said.
“Work ethic, knowledge of the game, experience. Doing what he has done is so difficult and he is doing really well. He knows the club, knows the environment, our fans, what our people need. The destiny is there.”
City v Newcastle
City face Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday 4 March in a 12:30 (UK) kick-off.
Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, whilst our Matchday Live show will begin at 11:30 (UK).
Shaun Goater and Steve Howey are our special guests on the latest Matchday Live show, offering their expert insight before, during and after the action.
They will also answer viewer questions throughout the broadcast, with audience participation actively encouraged on Matchday Live. To get in touch, send a WhatsApp to: +447537186538.
During the game you can also listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Andy Morrison while our text commentary continues.
Make sure to have push notifications turned on as well, so you can be alerted to key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and the team news.
Short highlights will be live at 17:15 before extended highlights, as well as a full-match replay [available on CITY+ and Recast] can be accessed from midnight.
