Vincent Kompany not ready to accept Pep Guardiola prediction ahead of emotional Man City return

Vincent Kompany could walk past his own statue on the familiar walk to the Etihad Stadium.

"I don't think about it but now you mention it, it's a bit weird," admits the Burnley boss as he prepares to take the Championship table toppers to Man City in the FA Cup quarter finals on Saturday.

If you believe Pep Guardiola he'll be treading that path with more regularity in the future. The City chief has spoken twice in recent weeks on the 'destiny' of Kompany one day becoming Etihad manager.

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"He needs to stop saying that," laughed Kompany when fielding questions for 40 minutes or so in the build-up to the weekend cup tie. "I am a Championship manager.

"I think he should stay for another 10 years at Man City first and foremost. City is competing to win the Champions League, we are competing to win the Championship so I don’t think those kind of conversations make sense.

"They need to have the best manager of the world. I want to be extremely respectful to the club I manage as well. This club to me means everything. I want this club to get better. I need to develop and get better."

Kompany has been to City on several occasions this season, often taking in a Sunday game with his family of Blues supporters. He met his wife Carla, already a big City fan, while playing in Manchester and his three children have followed in her footsteps.

He's not exchanged messages with his former boss or team-mates this week, with the focus on the game rather than catching up, but he will share a glass of red post match with Guardiola. The City chief remains a friend and a sounding board. The two have kept in touch since Kompany's Etihad departure even