Vincent Kompany is refusing to budge despite mounting speculation over his future as Burnley boss.
The Belgian's superb season in charge of the champions elect was capped on Sunday when he was named the Sky Bet Championship manager of the season. It follows a campaign where he led The Clarets back to the Premier League at the first attempt, with his side now just one win from the title.
But the former Manchester City defender is now being heavily linked to a move away from Turf Moor. He's been shortlisted for the Chelsea job after Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique ruled themselves out the running last week, with Spurs also tracking the 37-year-old.
But speaking at the EFL awards on Sunday, Kompany remain tight-lipped on speculation: "The only thing I see it as is a wasted question," he told talkSPORT , when asked how he perceived reports of a potential move. "I always feel sorry for the journalist whose asking the question because you get nothing."
Pressed further, he added: "I know (there is speculation), but I made this decision before even starting the season. I was never going to get involved in speculation. The biggest respect you can have for the people you're working with is to be dedicated to what they've entrusted you to do and I don't want to talk about anything else."
His words signified a doubling down on his position, with Kompany also dismissive after being questioned amid his side's surprise defeat to QPR on Saturday : “I said I’m not engaging on any of these conversations,” he said. “I have too much at this moment in time in my head in terms of wanting to win football matches. That’s the only thing I care about.”
After retiring in 2019, Kompany spent three seasons in charge of Anderlecht before returning to England to take over at Burnley. Pep Guardiola has already touted him to eventually take over at Man City, a place where he is revered after 11 years at The Etihad as a player.
Any potential move to Chelsea is likely to materialise this week, pending how talks go at Stamford Bridge with Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentinian has been outlined as the No 1 choice for Todd Boehly, with Kompany next in line if negotiations fall through.
it's not the only distraction for Kompany as late. The club have been warned by the EFL for fielding a weakened team against Reading in their goalless draw on April 15, an offence which can potentially result in a points deduction.
