Burnley: Potential replacement for Vincent Kompany named ahead of Bayern Munich move | OneFootball

Burnley assistant coach Craig Bellamy is reportedly not set to follow Vincent Kompany to Bayern Munich and has emerged as a potential replacement for the Belgian at Turf Moor.

The Clarets were relegated from the Premier League at the first time of asking and have stood by the former Manchester City captain, who took them up at a canter in 2022/23, but he now looks set to depart to take charge at the Allianz Arena.

After Bayern missed out on some of their other targets to replace Thomas Tuchel, Kompany emerged as a surprise option and things have accelerated – with the Bundesliga club now reportedly close to appointing him as their new boss.

Craig Bellamy could replace Vincent Kompany at Burnley

According to The Telegraph's Mike McGrath, compensation has been discussed and a deal is close while the 38-year-old is expected to his backroom staff with him to Bayern.

However, it is understood that is unlikely to include Bellamy, who has been his assistant at both Anderlecht and Burnley.

Instead, it is believed that the Welsh coach could be a candidate to replace Kompany at Turf Moor in what would be his first job in management.

Method in Bayern's Vincent Kompany madness

On the surface, Bayern's decision to appoint a manager that has just been relegated from the Premier League at the first time of asking despite spending plenty in the past two transfer windows looks a little crazy but there is method in their madness.

The expansive, possession-heavy style of play that Kompany introduced at Burnley is one that translates well at the top level and the dominance his side showed during their 2022/23 Championship title-winning campaign shows that with top players at the level, it can be hugely effective.

Bayern seemingly believe that his style would translate well at the top of the Bundesliga and fit their squad while his playing career and reputation should mean he is able to demand the necessary respect in the dressing room to properly implement his changes.

It's important to look deeper than just the fact Kompany's side were relegated last term, in what was an admittedly poor season, and the German giants are doing that with this appointment. It's certainly a risk but a measured one.

Burnley fans will, understandably, feel a little betrayed as they've continued to back Kompany despite their struggles but surely they can understand that a move to Bayern is impossible to turn down at this point in his management career.

Craig Bellamy a risky replacement

Continuity can be a wonderful thing in football and appointing an assistant to replace a manager has worked plenty of times, just ask Plymouth Argyle and Steven Schumacher.

But there is no doubt the Bellamy appointment would come with its own risks. He has no experience as a head coach while he would step into his first senior job and be expected to win promotion in his first season.

The Welshman may well prove to be a success and is clearly someone that Kompany trusted hugely but you couldn't blame the Clarets for looking elsewhere for an appointment that would be more of a sure thing given the circumstances.