Exclusive: Vincent Kompany says ‘everything has to be perfect’ if Burnley are to win on his return to Manchester City

The Clarets boss spent 11 years on the books with the Citizens, where he won nine major titles, including four Premier League crowns.

However, he has not fared well when facing his former employers as a manager, losing an FA Cup tie 6-0 last season, before opening the current campaign with a 3-0 loss at Turf Moor.

That was Burnley’s first game back in the Premier League following their relegation in 2021-22, and Kompany admits their rise back to the top flight came quicker than expected.

“Everything clicked and it just happened,” he admits. “You say about going down strong. We didn’t go down strong. Everyone left!

“The parachute money is not something we used. We didn’t have it. It was gone. We had to rebuild our squad with the sales of some of our players, the best players of course, and we built a really good Championship squad.

“So when we came up, it was the first time for many of those players. But it’s been exciting, because I have an exciting group. I have a really good group to work with. I wouldn’t change anything. These guys give me everything, so I give them everything.

“Having played in the Premier League as well, the thing that’s very clear to me is that the top teams in the Premier League have always been tough. But the level of the teams, let’s say the bottom 10 teams, has increased massively.

“The gap between the Championship and the Premier League is getting bigger.

“For us to turn it around in one transfer window…we prepared the squad to be a really, really good Championship squad, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be a good Premier League squad. That’s the solution we have to find.”

Burnley won the second tier at a canter last season, finishing 10 points clear of runners-up Sheffield United, and a further 11 above third-placed Luton.

Things have not been easy back in the top flight though; the Clarets sit seven points from safety in the relegation zone thanks to winning just three of their 21 fixtures so far.

A trip to the Etihad Stadium could hardly be a tougher assignment then, especially as City appear to be over the blip that saw them manage just one victory in their six league fixtures ahead of Christmas.

Since December 25, the defending champions have registered five wins in a row in all competitions, most recently beating Spurs 1-0 to reach the FA Cup fifth round.

And Kompany is wary of just how big a test his former employers will pose his side.

“In these type of games, everything has to be perfect, and that you have no control over,” he continued.

“It’s difficult already, because he’s [Guardiola] the best. Obviously, he has also very good players. But we came up to the Premier League to play these games. I manage to manage against these guys.

“Whatever the outcome of the game, for me, at the start, we have to believe we have a chance. That’s the basic mindset. You take that into every game.

“After the game, you’ll always learn, whether you win or lose. You’ll always learn from being exposed to these guys; my players, myself. First, you go for the result, then after that, you have to take learning into what comes next.”

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Manchester City v Burnley will be live on TNT Sports 3 with coverage from 19:00 on Wednesday, January 31 ahead of kick-off at 19:30.