It hasn't been a good start to Vincent Kompany's managerial career. The former Manchester City skipper has found things difficult in his new role as player-manager at Belgian club Anderlecht.
The club have failed to win in any of their opening four fixtures, a run which featured two losses and two goalless draws. That makes it their worst start to the season in 21 years, and Kompany is already under pressure.
Some of that pressure has now been eased, although it does not look all that promising for his future managerial prospects.
Kompany will no longer act as the team manager on match days, instead focusing on his playing duties. First team coach Simon Davies will now be responsible for tactical changes and substitutions on match days, and he explained why the change was made:
Kompany must be more a player during the match.
He must be able to really lead the team on the field. Of course no one doubts that he can, but it is important that he is merely one of the players during the match.
So, together with my staff, I will take on the tactics next to the field. Because you can plan some things in advance, surprising things always happen during a match. I take that on me...
This should allow us to work more efficiently and more result-oriented. On competition days, Kompany will only concentrate on the match. The club can only reap the benefits of that clearer hierarchy.
I also want to emphasise that this is not really about me or 'Vinnie', but about Anderlecht and its fantastic supporters.
While this implies Kompany will still act as manager during the week and pick the team, it is a major change to his authority at the club.
If results continue to elude Anderlecht, he may lose his managerial duties altogether.
