In pictures: Manchester City celebrate a historic season and say goodbye to Kompany

From the joyous celebrations of the 6-0 thrashing of Watford on Saturday evening, to the inevitable heartbreak of Vincent Kompany’s announcement Sunday morning that he is leaving the club. 

The City skipper had led the team to the fourth trophy of their season at Wembley on Saturday, but talk about his future at the club has been increasing in recent weeks. 

Following the final whistle against Leicester in the final home game of the season, Kompany was visibly emotional, stating “you never know when it will be your last game.” 

His contribution to the club over the last 11 years has been monumental.

In commentary for the Leicester game upon watching City’s centre back score a 30-yard-screamer, Gary Neville asked “where do you want your statue Vincent Kompany?”

Wherever he likes, as far as I’m concerned: he has lived and breathed everything Manchester City ever since he signed his first contract. 

That first contract was back in 2008 at the beginning of the Sheikh Mansour reign when he signed from Hamburg, where he had spent two years following beginning his professional career with Belgium side Anderlecht. 

His decision to leave the club has brought about an opportunity for him to become player/manager of Anderlecht, the club which was also so close to his heart that the opportunity to return as player/manager was too good to turn down.   

From his first game in a City shirt, Kompany made a terrific impression on the pitch. He was quickly adored by the City faithful, and off the pitch he also found love with Mancunian and die-hard blues fan Carla Higgs. 

Club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak was full of praise and admiration following Kompany’s announcement on Sunday morning. 

“There have been many important contributors to Manchester City’s renaissance, but arguably none are more important than Vincent Kompany”. 

Although it is heartbreaking for City fans to say goodbye, his injury issues made this day coming sooner rather than later inevitable. 

His final season and personal contribution to this club was certainly impressive and he leaves having helped guide us to four trophies this season – making his personal haul four Premier Leagues, two FA Cups and four League Cups. 

Community Shield Winners, Back 2 back League Cup Winners, Back 2 back Champions of England and FA Cup Winners to keep us ahead of Liverpool this season was special enough, but for the Captain his wonder goal against Leicester was when he knew he was done at City.

Speaking about his decision, the City skipper said “The moment that ball against Leicester went ‘top bins’, I knew I was done. I couldn’t do anything better.”   

Kompany has always had a knack of scoring crucial goals – there was that header against United in the final weeks of the 2011/12 season when we won the league for the first time, the Leicester strike as well as many more.  

https://twitter.com/YayaToure/status/1130102595580825600

In the first instalment of a two part open letter to the fans on his Facebook page he talks about giving back to the club and fans that gave him everything.

“Man City has given me everything. I’ve tried to give back as much as I possibly could. 

“How often does someone get the chance to end such an important chapter, representing a club with such great history and tradition, in such a great fashion?

“The time has come for me to go now. As overwhelming as it is, I feel nothing but gratefulness. I am grateful to all those who supported me on a special journey, at a very special club.

“I remember the first day, as clear as I see the last. 

“I remember the boundless kindness I received from the people of Manchester.

“I will never forget how all Man City supporters remained loyal to me in good times and especially bad times. 

“Against the odds you have always backed me and inspired me to never give up.”

Kompany has been an outstanding Captain, and his Manchester born colleague Phil Foden took to Twitter to say goodbye to the man who has showed what it means to be a leader. 

https://twitter.com/PhilFoden/status/1130043200012468226

Monday night saw the Champions parade their haul of trophies through the streets of Manchester turning the City blue for another year and giving the skipper a chance to say goodbye to the fans, stating the club was the best in the world – and then departed with a mic drop.   

The blues will miss him and he will be very difficult to replace. But in the summer transfer window you can be sure that the powers that be will be doing everything they can to find the perfect candidate.