Kompany as Future Man City Manager? Onuoha Weighs In
Nedum Onuoha
November 25, 2025, 04:00 AM ET
In the foreseeable future, Manchester City will need to find a successor for Pep Guardiola. While the timeline remains uncertain—whether it be next year, in two years, or even three—Vincent Kompany of Bayern Munich appears to be the frontrunner for the position.
When Bayern faces Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League at the Emirates this Wednesday, fans will witness a clash between two prominent managerial candidates: Kompany and Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta. Despite Arteta having served as Guardiola’s assistant for three years before taking the reins at Arsenal in 2019, he has fully invested himself in his project at the Emirates, making it unlikely for him to consider leaving for City.
For nearly two decades, I’ve known Kompany—let’s refer to him as Vinny—from our introduction through a mutual friend during his time at Hamburg in 2008. Based on what I’ve seen, I genuinely believe he could be the ideal candidate to follow Pep at City.
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Timing plays a crucial role in football; many potential successors to Pep have faltered over the years. Vinny’s current leadership of a powerhouse like Bayern adds to his credibility as a candidate. If you’re a player at a major club like Liverpool or Manchester United, what club would persuade you to leave? For many, the prospect of playing for Real Madrid could be the deciding factor. For Vinny, I suspect Manchester City holds that same allure.
From my perspective, he’d be a great fit as Pep’s successor. The role demands a strong personality to follow someone like Guardiola, and Vinny possesses that strength. He has the necessary diplomatic skills to manage relationships at all levels, combined with a deep connection to the club stemming from his 11 years as a player at the Etihad, during which he won 12 trophies, including four Premier League titles.
Before delving into Vinny’s footballing philosophy, it’s essential to highlight his character. Our first encounter was when he played as a No. 10 for Hamburg, quickly showcasing that he was more than just a former child star from video games. We promised to stay in touch—a promise that materialized when he joined Manchester City shortly after my arrival.
Just weeks after he joined, Sheikh Mansour’s takeover transformed City from “Joke City” to a globally recognized and successful club. Vinny, at just 22, exhibited immediate leadership abilities and commanded respect, bridging language barriers with his fluent English, French, German, and Spanish. Any divisions in the team were dissolved by his unifying presence.
He is a multi-talented individual who excels in various domains yet emphasizes that hard work is crucial to accompany one’s natural abilities. A true academic, he completed a business degree at the University of Manchester in 2017, all while captaining City, a testament to his talent and dedication.
Despite his amiable nature, Vinny possesses a level of assertiveness and will not tolerate unacceptable behavior. I recall a preseason game where Bayern, playing with ten men for an entire half, managed to secure a victory against the European champions—a display of resilience that showcased the grit necessary for championship success.
Currently, Vinny faces intense pressure at Bayern, where expectations for league titles and European triumphs are omnipresent. After being doubted initially when he took over following relegation with Burnley 18 months ago, he has since silenced critics and earned a new contract.
Having consistently proven himself in challenging scenarios at Bayern, he is now a more viable candidate for the City role than he would have been had Pep announced his departure at the close of the 2023-24 season. His tactical approach, which emphasizes pace, movement, and readiness to receive the ball, would align well with City’s style. Moreover, his strong rapport with fans and club officials would facilitate a smoother transition compared to the experiences of David Moyes and Unai Emery after succeeding legends at Manchester United and Arsenal.
Should he return to City as a manager, Vinny would not strive to replicate Pep’s style, an essential factor. He might feel apprehensive about the undertaking, but his strong convictions and character ensure he would embrace the challenge positively. Ultimately, he seeks to test his capabilities at a top club in the Premier League, and there is none more fitting for him than Manchester City.
Nedum Onuoha was in conversation with ESPN senior writer Mark Ogden
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