Vincent Kompany stands by Manchester City achievements after financial verdict

Vincent Kompany says Manchester City’s financial breaches verdict has not changed his pride in what he achieved during 11 years with the club.

An independent commission found on September 29 that City had breached more than 100 Premier League financial regulations over nine seasons, from 2009/10 to 2017/18.

The club was also found guilty of most of the charges concerning its failure to co-operate with the Premier League investigation. City have consistently denied any wrongdoing and formally appealed against the verdict on October 1.

Kompany, now manager of Bayern Munich, joined City from Hamburg shortly before Sheikh Mansour’s takeover in 2008. He remained at the club until 2019, winning four Premier League titles and several domestic cups.

The former Belgium captain played a central role in City’s emergence as one of English football’s dominant forces. His contribution has also been recognised with a statue outside the Etihad Stadium.

Asked about the case, Kompany said the allegations and verdict did not affect how he regarded his time at City.

“I played 11 years for the club. I’ve loved all of the years I played for the club and everything we achieved and did on the pitch – that’s something I’m really proud of,” he told reporters on Friday.

Kompany separated those memories from the ongoing legal process, saying matters away from his playing career were not his responsibility.

“Everything else, as a player you’re not a part of that and right now as a coach of Bayern Munich I’m not too much occupied with that topic,” he said.

His attention is instead on Bayern’s immediate fixtures and his duties as head coach.

“I’m preparing the game next week and preparing the game we have tomorrow and everything I have as a coach,” Kompany added.

Bayern face Augsburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday, with Kompany concentrating on preparing his current club rather than the proceedings involving Manchester City.