In the near future, Manchester City will have to find a coach to replace Pep Guardiola. Although no one knew it would happen next year, next year, or even after 3 years, the most promising candidate at the moment is Vincent Kompany of Bayern Munich.
When Bayern visit Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League at the Emirates Stadium in midweek, it can be argued that the two coaches considered the most prestigious candidates to replace Guardiola - Kompany and Mikel Arteta - will face each other directly.
In football, timing is always a key factor. Remember, many people who were once considered a candidate to succeed Guardiola have declined in recent years.
According to many, Kompany will be the perfect choice to replace Guardiola at some point in the future. A coach must have a strong personality to succeed Guardiola, and Kompany has that. He also has the skills to manage every relationship - from the top, the counter-level to the lower level - along with the connection and deep love for the club.
That love comes from 11 years at the Etihad, where he won a total of 12 titles, including 11 as captain, including four Premier League titles.
At Bayern Munich, where Kompany knew his side dominated most Bundesliga games, he deployed a number of flexible tactics to overcome opponents who tried to hold them back in various ways.
In football, some coaches live by their philosophy, but sometimes, flexibility is the key. The Belgian captain is working under constant pressure at Bayern. Fans and management expect the team to win the Bundesliga every season and conquer Europe.
Although many people doubted his ability to take over the club just 18 months after leaving Burnley, Kompany proved wrong. And that is what helped him get a new contract.
Kompany has passed all the tests at the Allianz Arena, which has helped him become a strong candidate to replace Guardiola. His style - often requiring players to be ready to receive the ball, move flexibly and play at high speeds - will certainly suit and be welcomed by the City squad.
Kompany's close relationship with fans and The Citizens' board also ensures that he will receive immediate support. This is something that David Moyes or Unai Emery have never had when he replaced Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger at Manchester United and Arsenal.
If he returns to the Etihad as a coach, Kompany will not try to become Guardiola, and this is an important factor. He may be worried about the challenge, but at the same time, he is also brave and confident enough to face it. Of course, it all depends on the timing, and Bayern are still a big club that can hardly leave easily.
However, Kompany will eventually want to try his hand at a top Premier League club, and there is no better place than Man City.
