“I’m so happy for him” – Pep Guardiola admits pride at Vincent Kompany and Mikel Arteta success

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted his pride at witnessing the managerial successes of both Mikel Arteta and Vincent Kompany.

Arteta worked under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium as an assistant coach to the Catalan tactician, helping the Blues to a Premier League title triumph before becoming Arsenal boss in 2019.

Meanwhile Vincent Kompany, who has a statue outside of the Etihad Stadium, made a total of 360 appearances for the Sky Blues, winning 12 pieces of silverware, including four Premier League titles.

Kompany replaced Sean Dyche at Turf Moor in the summer, leaving RSC Anderlecht in his native Belgium.

Both Kompany and Arteta are ultimately having success as managers, something Pep Guardiola has admitted his pride at, speaking ahead of the FA Cup fourth round clash against Arsenal on Friday night.

“What Arsenal does, it belongs exclusively to him (Mikel Arteta). And Vinny (Kompany), what he does at Burnley, I’m so happy for him, and hopefully next season they can be in the Premier League, because Vinny deserves the best – it belongs absolutely to him and the staff and the players.”

Mikel Arteta, is proving a dangerous friend in the title race and is back at Manchester City tonight in the FA Cup fourth round while Vincent Kompany’s Burnley are top of the Championship.

Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) Top of Premier League

What he said about Guardiola: ‘The influence Pep had in the last 20 years is just incredibly powerful.’

Played (this season) – 19
Won – 16
Win Percentage – 84.2%
Points per game – 2.63

Vincent Kompany (Burnley) Top of the Championship

What he said about Guardiola: ‘Pep was very important in me looking at the game in a different way.’

Played – 28
Won – 18
Win percentage – 64.3%
Points per game- 2.21