By Jack Gaughan for the Daily Mail
Published: 22:32 BST, 25 June 2019 | Updated: 23:18 BST, 25 June 2019
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The white tactics board in Vincent Kompany's Cheshire study probably won't be joining him on this Anderlecht adventure but Pep Guardiola certainly will. In spirit, anyway.
Unveiled as player-manager back where it all began for him on a stifling day on Tuesday, Guardiola never felt far from the conversation.
Perched on a stool in a marquee at his boyhood club's training base, Anderlecht's returning hero held the crowd.
Vincent Kompany has taken on a daunting task in reviving the fortunes of Anderlecht
'It's so hot that I'm going to make this a long press conference,' Kompany grinned, mopping his brow. He laughed. They laughed. Strong start.
Guardiola's importance was not shirked. This was the first day of the rest of Kompany's life — one mapped out from the minute Guardiola rocked up at Manchester City. That was the moment coaching appealed, when that tactics board at home got more attention.
'I can't stand here without working with him,' said Kompany. 'When he came, I went from high school to college. That's the difference.
'Everyone who went to school has had a professor who can explain complicated things better and simpler than anybody else. Pep was that professor. I'm not Pep but I was a good student.
Kompany has heaped praise on Pep Guardiola for helping him take on his first managerial role
Kompany feels the heat during a press conference at the club's training base on Tuesday
'Pep gave me the 2.0 of all those principles