Kompany also asked Vermaelen as assistant

OTHER It could just have been that Thomas Vermaelen would be working as an assistant coach at Anderlecht today. Yesterday, it became known that the defender will quit as Red Devil and become assistant coach. Kompany had previously asked him to join his staff at Anderlecht. "But I was a year too early with my question," he said.
 


At his press conference, Kompany said that he didn't really want to deviate much from the topic, but for Vermaelen he wanted to make an exception. The Anderlecht coach did not spare his praise. "What a wonderful career he had. Thomas is an exemplary professional whose talent is often underestimated. It is nice that he has made such a beautiful career despite all those injuries."

Within the Red Devils, it was already clear that Vermaelen was made for the coaching job. Last year, Kompany already asked Vermaelen to join Anderlecht, but the time was not yet right. "Thomas still wanted to remain a footballer," Kompany said. "His contribution can take the Red Devils even higher. It's a fantastic choice by Roberto Martinez."

Kompany is coach at Anderlecht, Defour assistant at KV Mechelen and Vermaelen now at the Red Devils. A good thing, Kompany believes. "If the whole batch that has worked everywhere in top clubs and with the best coaches in the world follows us, we can really take Belgian soccer to the next level."