Kompany wins promotion to Premier League with Burnley

Former Belgium captain Vincent Kompany and his Burnley team are celebrating promotion to the Premier League, a year after the club was relegated to English football’s second tier.

“It's Easter, there are seven games to go and we’re already celebrating,” Kompany told Sky Sports, after his team sealed promotion with a 2-1 win at fourth-placed Middlesbrough on Friday. “We didn't expect this. We wanted to experience it one day, but we had a different timing on it.”

The top two sides in the Championship are promoted to the Premier League each year, with the next four competing in a play-off. With 39 games played, Burnley have 87 points and are guaranteed to finish in the top two.

After leaving Manchester City in 2019, Kompany returned to Belgium as player-manager of Anderlecht. He was given the Burnley job last summer, following their relegation after six years in the Premier League.

“It means the world to us right now. Vincent’s come in and done a phenomenal job. said club chair Alan Pace. “He’s one of the most incredible people I’ve ever met.”

^{Vincent Kompany celebrates promotion to the Premier League after the Sky Bet Championship match at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, April 7 2023 © PHOTO PRESS ASSOCIATION}