Vincent Kompany says working with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City has 'reinvigorated his love for football'.
Kompany, who announced on Sunday that he will leave the club to take up a player-manager position at RSC Anderlecht, led Guardiola's side to back-to-back Premier League titles for the first time in the club's history.
This season's league success, which garnered 98 points, was part of a domestic treble of trophies that has never before been achieved by an English side in men's football.
City wanted Kompany, 33, to stay at the club on a one-year deal but the Belgian said accepting a three-year deal at Anderlecht is 'the most passionate yet rational decision I've ever made'.
The football played by Guardiola's City side is among the best ever seen in the history of English football, and Kompany says he will take the Blues boss' teachings with him into his own managerial career.
Vincent Kompany named RSC Anderlecht player manager after Man City departure
Vincent Kompany brought out the best in Manchester City and Manchester as a city
"Pep Guardiola reignited my love for the game," the centre-back, who won 10 trophies in 11 years at the Etihad, said. "I’ve witnessed, participated, analyzed, absorbed, studied.
"Man City play the football I want to play. It is the football I want to teach and to see played.
"I have decided to take up the challenge at RSC Anderlecht. Player-Manager.
"I want to share my knowledge with the next purple generations. With that, I will also put a bit of Manchester in the heart of Belgium."
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Kompany's wonder-strike against Leicester in the penultimate fixture of City's title race with Liverpool was his 20th and finest strike for the club.
It ensured City's fate remained in their hands for the final-day trip to Brighton, and Kompany said the conclusion to the campaign will live long in his memory.
"The end of this season couldn’t be more memorable," he explained. "I have lived the dream here. I have learned so much the last 3 years. From an incredible manager.
"This is no goodbye. It’s a see you later."
