Arsenal legend urges manager to turn down any Tottenham approach 

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has urged Tottenham’s rumoured managerial target Vincent Kompany to remain at Burnley.

Burnley are set to jump straight back up to the Premier League, with the Clarets currently sitting 19 points clear of a playoff spot and 14 points clear at the top of the table.

Kompany has managed to achieve that while getting his side to play attacking, possession-based football, which is a major departure from what we have seen from the club over many years under Sean Dyche.

Reports over recent weeks have indicated that in light of the job that the Belgian has done at Turf Moor, he has emerged as one of the top names on Tottenham’s wishlist to replace Antonio Conte (The Daily Star).

However, this was contradicted by The Independent, who claimed last week that the Lilywhites’ interest in the 36-year-old had been ‘overstated’, with other candidates said to be preferred by the North London club.

Parlour believes that even if Spurs come calling, Kompany should reject their advances and continue building on his good work at Burnley.

The Arsenal legend told talkSPORT Breakfast (11/04/23): “If I was him (Kompany), I would stay where he is. Someone has given him an opportunity to be a manager. I think he has done a great job.

“Four or five years down the line. I am sure when Pep Guardiola says ‘That’s it, I am not being manager anymore’. I am sure, he will then be the Manchester City manager. He will be the Man City manager, I should imagine.

“But, at the moment, he is learning his trade still. He has been at a Burnley team that’s brilliant. I would stay where he is.

“I know he’s been linked to Spurs and to quite a few clubs. But just stay where you are. Enjoy it and you can become a Burnley legend.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Tottenham might hold conversations with Kompany to learn more about him and to see if he fits the profile they are looking for.

However, I do not think the Belgian would be anything more than a fallback option for Spurs in the event that their top two or three targets prove out of reach.

Tottenham have to get their next appointment right after the missteps over the last few years and they simply cannot afford to take a risk on a manager who is unproven at the top level.