07 April 2023 , 21:54
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Vincent Kompany raised a few eyebrows when he hinted that he wouldn't be interested in signing Cristiano Ronaldo for Burnley.
But in the wake of the Clarets' record-breaking promotion back to the Premier League, nobody is questioning the Belgian's judgement.
There were high hopes at Turf Moor when the Manchester City legend took over in the summer just weeks after the Clarets had relinquished their top-flight status. And the 36-year-old has exceeded all expectations by guiding Burnley back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Burnley clinched promotion with a staggering seven games to spare on Friday night with a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough at The Riverside Stadium: a feat no other team in second-tier history has ever achieved.
As well as steering the Clarets to an instant return to the top-flight, Kompany has completely overhauled the club's style of play over the course of the season. But even after making an impressive start to life at Turf Moor, Kompany's comments on Ronaldo during the World Cup were bold to say the least.
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While discussing the forward's exit from Manchester United, Kompany, who was working as a pundit for the BBC, claimed that Erik ten Hag wouldn't miss the 37-year-old. He said: "I think in the end everybody loses except perhaps the Man United manager. I think it is a problem that has been resolved and they will move on from this."
And when he was asked if he would be keen on luring the multi-time Ballon d'Or winner to Burnley, Kompany quipped: "We need players who can run."
Since Kompany's comments back in December, Ronaldo has moved to the Middle East to link up with Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr while the Burnley boss will be gracing the Premier League after overseeing a record-breaking season in the Championship.
Join the debate! How do you think Kompany and Burnley will fare in the Premier League next season? Let us know here.
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr after the World Cup (AFP via Getty Images)The Clarets chief, who has seen his side lose just twice in the league all season, admitted that he was stunned to have promotion sewn up by Easter during an interview with Sky Sports after Friday night's match. He said: "No [I couldn't have dreamed of this]. It's Easter, there's seven games to go and we are already celebrating.
"We didn't expect this. We want to experience it one day but we had a different timing on it. Quicker is better sometimes."
He added: "It hasn't been easy. Days like today happen more than you think, we found a way it was not easy at all. But somehow this season we also ended up on the good end of the game.
"There is a belief in the team, and it is still a team that can improve and that is the exciting part. They're like kids, they're celebrating like kids and that's fun to see."