Vincent Kompany promised there would be no sulking after Burnley were relegated following a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham - and vowed to immediately start work on a successful season back in the Championship.
The Clarets had looked destined for the drop for a number of months, but a run of two losses in nine matches had raised the prospect of an unlikely survival bid.
Only victory at Spurs would have kept alive Burnley’s faint hopes of safety and although Jacob Bruun Larsen put them ahead in the 25th minute, Pedro Porro produced a quick response before Micky van de Ven scored with eight minutes left to send the visitors back down to the second tier.
“I said, no sulking, no moaning, get on with it and I have an exciting team to work with. Tomorrow will be an exciting day no matter what,” Kompany said.
“I can guarantee you one thing that tomorrow is day one of us being successful again. Tomorrow is day one of next season for me.
“I always look to the future at something exciting and tomorrow will bring exactly that feeling.
“The players are back in on Tuesday because we have a longer approach to the next game (against Nottingham Forest), so on Tuesday it is all out and we keep working on the next steps.
“I said last year we were club number 21 in England because everyone wanted to make the big statements when we had the trophy, but I said we’re club number 21.
“Now we’re 19 and hopefully we can remain 21 or 22 next season, and the goal is to shoot out of the middle there where we are right now. Still, the club’s alive and is ambitious.”
Kompany did vent his frustration at a number of refereeing decisions that had gone against Burnley this season.
He added: “We of course have to improve but I said it before, I didn’t think the level of officials was good enough this year.
“I do trust that their intentions were right, that they were doing their best and want to be transparent, but it’s cost us this season, simple as that.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel