Vincent Kompany says he has everything to prove at Anderlecht as he takes his first steps into management.
But the former Manchester City captain insists he is confident that he can succeed as he declared he has not returned home to finish second.
Kompany left City this summer, after 11 years and 360 appearances, to take over at his boyhood club after City’s domestic Treble in 2018-19.
Now the four-time Premier League winner is looking to reawaken Belgium’s biggest team from its current slumber.
"The chance was too big for me not to go in and I think this was the right time to make this decision,” said Kompany at his unveiling on Tuesday.
"Returning only as a player was not an option, but as a player-manager.
"I have everything to prove. As a manager, I have not yet proved anything, but I am confident that this story can and will succeed.
"I want to be a champion with Anderlecht. Let that be clear – I didn't come here to be second. I can't and won't say that.
"I can start something incredible here. People who know me a little know well enough that I would not start something like this without a plan.”
Anderlecht finished just sixth in the Belgian First Division last season and Kompany, who started his career at the Constant Vanden Stock, is tasked with both bridging the gap at the top and also continuing the club’s tradition of bringing through young talent.
The ex-City skipper believes that the latter won’t be a problem, and insists that, had Anderlecht been dominating the Belgian landscape, then this opportunity wouldn’t have arrived.
"There are huge talents around here and I am looking forward to working with them,” he added.
"There are more talents at Anderlecht today than when I started. Much more. We finished sixth last year, so we have to get better than five other teams in one season. But my opinion is that with a few changes we can get there. I'm convinced of that.
"If Anderlecht had become champions last year, or even second, then this story would not have happened. Or the months of negotiation that have preceded.
"There is no better time to jump in than now. No one would have been open to a change in mentality.
"I understand that there is a lot of work, but I am really looking forward to starting. I have learned a lot in recent years and I now have the opportunity to make my mark here.
"I am proud that I have that opportunity."
