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Parade PICS: Manchester City celebrate historic treble

May 21, 2019 11:51 IST

Manchester won the English Premier League, the English League Cup and FA Cup this season

IMAGE: Manchester City's outgoing captain Vincent Kompany acknowledges fans during the Manchester City Teams Celebration Parade in Manchester on Monday. Photograph: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

Vincent Kompany said he knew he "was done" at Manchester City as soon as he fired in the spectacular winner against Leicester City in their penultimate Premier League game of the season on May 6.

The Belgian called time on his 11-year stay at City on Sunday to become player-manager at Anderlecht -- the club where he started his career almost two decades ago.

 

"The moment that ball against Leicester went 'top bins', I knew I was done. I couldn't do anything better," the City captain said during a parade to celebrate the club's domestic treble.

City beat Watford 6-0 in Saturday's FA Cup final to become the first club to complete an English domestic treble.

The FA Cup triumph also ended up being 33-year-old Kompany's final game for City, with whom he won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four League Cups.

 

IMAGE: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola during the Manchester City Celebration Parade on Monday. Photograph: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

"I've given everything I could for this club. I can't tell you how proud of that I am. I have nothing left. I have given everything," he added, sporting a t-shirt referencing striker Sergio Aguero's 'don't shoot' reaction to the Leicester goal.

Manager Pep Guardiola added: "We're going to miss him a lot. I'm going to miss him but he is going to see us in the future because he is coming back sooner or later.

"It's the best way to say goodbye after an incredible season together. He was a real captain, he helped us a lot. We're going to show him how we love him."

Kompany had announced on Sunday, May 19, that he is going to leave the club for a player-manager role at Belgian football club R.S.C. Anderlecht.

 

IMAGE: Manchester City players celebrate in presence of supporters during the parade on Monday. Photograph: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

The 33-year-old defender won all the major trophies with the club, barring the Champions League title.

His final success came on Saturday, May 18, when City defeated Watford 6-0 to win the FA Cup, adding another trophy to their cabinet. This year the club was able to win the Premier League title and EFL Cup as well.

Guardiola said it was the best way to bid him goodbye after winning all the major trophies this year.

"It's the best way to say goodbye after an incredible season together. He was a real captain, he helped us a lot," Guardiola said.

 

IMAGE: Manchester City's Nicolas Otamendi and Kevin De Bruyne celebrate. Photograph: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

"Now it's time to have good food, good wine and enjoy this incredible season together. In a few weeks, we are going to think about the future. Now we are going to enjoy what we have done," he added.

Manchester City won their second consecutive Premier League title finishing ahead of Liverpool this season to claim Kompany's fourth league title.

City ended the Premier League season with 98 points whereas Liverpool finished with 97.

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