Vincent Kompany Tactics & Formations: The Guardiola Disciple Looking To Overhaul The Direct Playing Style Of Burnley – Tactical Analysis

After nearly three seasons in charge of his boyhood club, former Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany and Anderlecht decided to part ways, with the Belgian manager seeking a new challenge elsewhere.

This new destination appears to be England, with Kompany being heavily linked to take over in the hot seat at Burnley, tasked with the challenge of returning the East Lancashire side back to the Premier League.

If Kompany is appointed at Burnley, the tactical and stylistic changes will be massive.

Compared to the way Burnley played and were set up under Sean Dyche for nearly ten seasons, Kompany’s style of play is a complete 180-degree difference.

This Vincent Kompany tactical analysis piece will examine Kompany’s style of play and philosophy from his time at Anderlecht.

This should give Burnley fans a sense of what to expect from their side next season and beyond.

Vincent Company Build-Up Play 

When watching Vincent Kompany’s Anderlecht side during the build-up phases of play, it is hard not to think of Pep Guardiolas influence.

The same fundamental principles present in Guardiola are evident in Kompany as well.

Kompany wants his side to hold possession and use a slower, methodical build-up to break opponents defences down.

This is also present in Anderlechts possession and passing numbers this season, with the Brussels-based side holding the third-highest average possession in the league with 55.4%.

Anderlecht also completed more passes than any other side in the Belgian Pro League last season, with over 21,000 completed over the course of the season. If we compare this to Burnley’s possession number last season, it is night and day.

Burnley had the lowest average possession of any side in the Premier League last season, with 39.3%.

The number of completed passes for Burnley this season was also at the bottom of the Premier League, at only 11,769. 

This section will examine Kompanys build-up style in depth.

It is a much different style from what Burnley fans have been used to over the past decade at Turf Moor. 

Under Kompany, Anderlecht normally set up in a 4-4-2 formation, but this turned into a back three during phases of build-up play.

Notice how during this build-up phase against Antwerp, the formation has transitioned into a 3-3-4, with the two fullbacks, Murillo and Gomez, pushing higher up into wider midfield positions.

The role