By Samindra Kunti
October 9 – Anderlecht have defended Vincent Kompany’s role as player-coach at the Belgian FA, denying that Simon Davies was a ‘shadow’ coach in place only to give Kompany the qualifications back-up required in Belgium.
The Brussels-based club were called in by the Belgian FA to clarify Kompany’s role. Kompany joined Anderlecht in the summer as player coach but the club could face a belgain FA sanction for making the appointment.
A UEFA pro license is a prerequisite to coach in the Belgian top flight but the former Manchester City captain Kompany doesn’t have one. If sanctioned the punishment could range from a €5,000 fine to withdrawal of the license and thus relegation. A verdict is set to be released October 15.
“Davies was not a shadow trainer” said Anderlecht. “For many of our players, Kompany is a real coach. Is that why he is a real coach? No, he is a coach in the sense of inspirer and supervisor. But if we had called our project ‘The Project Davies’ then it might not have had the same impact.”
On match days, Kompany has stepped down as manager with former City youth coach Davies taking control and allowing Kompany to focus on playing.
The Belgian FA’s licensing commission have however taken a greater interest in Kompany’s day-to-day activities. Under the current rules, he is not allowed to train the squad or pick the team.
“Part of our communication about Kompany was public relations,” said Anderlecht’s legal representative Bert Van der Auwera. “Kompany is a very important figure. That helped in the sale of season tickets and hospitality packages. Have we always used the right choice of words about his position? Perhaps not.”
Anderlecht are required to prove that newly appointed coach Frank Vercauteren or Davies, and not Kompany, pick the club’s team and train the squad. Vercauteren was brought in at the club to steady the ship after Anderlecht endured a difficult start to the season. Davies has already been demoted.
“In the preparation and at the start of the season it was very clear which role Simon Davies played: leading the training sessions, guiding the players, determining the tactical plan and he enacting the substitutions,” said Van der Auwera.
“Kompany had a threefold role: he was the leader on the field because he is by far the most experienced and acclaimed player. But he also had to ensure that the football vision would be translated. He also had to act as an inspirer and career coach for the young players. ”
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1730576033labto1730576033ofdlr1730576033owedi1730576033sni@o1730576033fni1730576033