Burnley are set to confirm the appointment of Vincent Kompany early this week and he could even be unveiled on Monday, according to reports in his native Belgium.
The Clarets are searching for a new manager after dispensing with long-serving Sean Dyche towards the end of last season. Caretaker Mike Jackson took over but could not steer Burnley to safety in the Premier League.
Now, Manchester City legend Kompany is primed for the Turf Moor hot seat. Belgian publication HLN claims the appointment could even be formally announced as early as Monday. There is, however, a delay as Kompany applies for a work permit, with Brexit affecting the process.
It adds that members of coaching staff who previously worked with Kompany at Anderlecht are set to follow him to Burnley, including Simon Davies and Craig Bellamy. Floribert Ngalula and Rodyse Munienge are two other names linked with moving to England.
The report adds that it is unclear whether physical trainer Bram Geers and video analyst Eliot Tybebo will join Kompany in Lancashire. Kompany, 36, left Anderlecht earlier this month after two seasons in charge. He led them to a fourth-placed finish in 2020-21 before ending up third last season.
If Kompany is confirmed as the Clarets' new boss, it has been reported his first signing could be a familiar face. City youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis spent the second half of last season on loan at Championship side Stoke and will return to City for pre-season training next month. The 20-year-old is expected to go out on loan again next season and could be on his way back to the Championship with Burnley.
Harwood-Bellis, who is part of the current England Under-21 set-up, spent the first half of last season at Belgian side Anderlecht, playing under Kompany, and a reunion could be on the cards.
The Clarets last week confirmed a clutch of players would be leaving the club. The most high-profile exit was that of captain Ben Mee after 11 years in Lancashire. The 32-year-old initially joined the Clarets on a season-long loan deal from City in 2011 before signing permanently the following summer.
Aaron Lennon, Phil Bardsley, Dale Stephens, Erik Pieters and James Tarkowski are also leaving with the latter deep in talks over a move to Everton. Burnley went down on the final day of the Premier League season, with caretaker Jackson cutting a dejected figure immediately after their loss to Newcastle.
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"It's really raw at the moment, I am gutted for the fans and the players," said Jackson. "It's hard to find words sometimes. I just said to the group, they've given everything for the games we've been here, and sometimes that's all you can ask of anybody. I just thanked them for what they have done as a group and how they have come together.
"The lads are going to be (distraught), but there's not a lot you can say, it will take a long, long time to get over, but I'm sure some of these players will go from strength to strength and keep going."
The new Championship season begins on July 30 with fixtures released on June 23.
