Vincent Kompany never had in mind that Burnley would be the ones unfortunate enough to suffer relegation to the Championship for the 2024-2025 season. The former Manchester United defender and captain – and a legend of the game – has moved on from playing to coaching after his retirement.
The Belgian has become a fine manager, earning the respect of his players and coaching staff. But that didn’t help the struggling English side this year who just lost to Tottenham 2-1 on Saturday, putting the final nail in the coffin of the relegation battle.
Burnley Relegated to the Championship
Manager Vincent Kompany reflects on this afternoon 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/RokqMiF4Pq
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) May 11, 2024
Kompany was placed in charge of the struggling Burnley side before the season began, hoping that a younger manager and new life could come in and help the always-low-placed team make a bid for the middle of the table.
But the team had the deck stacked against them from the outset. Since they are a lower-performing team, the budget and backing are less than the bigger clubs, like Manchester City and Manchester United. Therefore, they can’t pay big-name signings or bring in older veteran players to help the squad.
Thus, their squad featured numerous young players who had very little experience in the top flight of English football. They are coming off of League One or Championship teams, or the Burnley Academy, and fighting against seasoned players in the Premier League.
Kompany couldn’t fault his team for trying, but he did recognize that his squad featured less maturity than other teams in the league.
‘It’s way too early to answer if I’d have done things differently. I’m constantly thinking about what we could do better right now and before. But if you treat it as something which improves you, us as a club and a group of players, there is a lot of value in what we have experienced this season.’
Burnley lost in a narrow game against Tottenham, meaning that they only have one game left and they are unfortunately five points behind the struggling Nottingham Forest. They have lost almost 30 games this season after going ahead in the match – showing a lack of cohesiveness, focus, and game management from Kompany’s young squad.
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Looking Forward for Burnley
Kompany isn’t letting the relegation destroy his positive attitude or let his team sulk for much longer. He claims that the new season starts as soon as this one ends, fueling his squad with life and something to fight for in the Championship.
‘I can guarantee you one thing, tomorrow is day one of us being successful again. Tomorrow is day one of next season for me and our new season starts tomorrow…I always look to the future as something exciting and so tomorrow will bring exactly that feeling.’
Burnley ended the season with a sure-fire relegation with just one game left against Notts Forest. The other teams up for possible removal to the second tier of English football include potentially Luton Town and Sheffield United.
Luton Town just lost 3-1 to West Ham, giving up a 1-0 goal advantage to three second-half goals from West Ham later in the game. Nottingham Forest face off against the already-relegated Burnley – this could be one of the most exciting final games of the year since this could decide the final relegation spot between Luton, Sheffield, and Forest.
Will Burnley try to win, or will they ‘let’ Forest earn a win in their final game to stay in the PL?
About the Author
Emma is an athlete and sports fan who currently plays professional soccer. Growing up, she reached a high level in track and field, distance running, and soccer on both club and university teams.
