Pep Guardiola believes that it is 'written in the stars' for Vincent Kompany to become Manchester City manager in the future.
The 36-year-old is currently in charge of Championship leaders Burnley, who are on the cusp of securing promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt as they sit a mammoth 19 points clear of third-placed Middlesbrough.
Prior to his appointment at Turf Moor last summer and a two-year spell in charge of Anderlecht, Kompany spent 11 hugely-successful years as a player at Man City, making a total of 360 appearances between 2008 and 2019.
The former Belgium defender won 12 trophies during his time with the Citizens, including four Premier League titles, four EFL Cups and two FA Cups, and he now has a statue of himself outside the Etihad Stadium to recognise his legacy at the club.
In just over two weeks' time, Kompany will be returning to blue side of Manchester with his Burnley side after the two teams were drawn against each other in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
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Guardiola, who managed Kompany for the final three years of his Man City career, has been impressed with how the Belgian has quickly adapted to management and believes that it is his "destiny" to become manager of the Citizens.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, as quoted by The Independent, Guardiola said: "Vincent Kompany will be Man City manager one day, I think it's written in the stars, it's gonna happen.
"I said that sooner or later he will be manager here. When, I don't know. It's my feeling. I have not spoken to him but he knows the club. The destiny is there..."
"I am impressed with the consistency, the Championship is difficult for the amount of games. The consistency so far, it is unbelievable.
"They are close to promotion again to the Premier League next season and I am delighted for him personally for his success at Burnley. I think all of us as fans will be happy for him to be back."
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A day after Man City beat Bristol City 3-0 in the FA Cup fifth round, Kompany guided his Burnley side to a slender 1-0 success at home against Fleetwood Town on Wednesday to set up a quarter-final tie with his former club.
Speaking about his imminent return to the Etihad after the win over Fleetwood, Kompany said: "It's a double feeling to be honest. My ties are extremely strong with the club and that remains. The kids will have a tough decision to make on the day but it's one we are looking forward to.
"We've got a few games now which are more important, which is every Championship fixture between that game and now but it will be a special day. I think for the players, this is an experience and they've earned the right to look forward to such a game.
"From my side, I'm really calm about it. I know that past the hugs and the high fives there is a machine there that wants to win everything. We'll focus first on the Championship games and then give it the right place it deserves."
While Man City will be looking to reach the FA Cup semi-finals for a fifth successive year, Burnley have not reached the final four since the 1961-62 campaign when they lost to Tottenham Hotspur in the final.
Oliver Thomas
