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Jeremy Doku has spoken warmly about his early experiences under Vincent Kompany, drawing comparisons between the former Manchester City captain and Pep Guardiola, while expressing no surprise at Kompany’s rise to success with Bayern Munich.

Doku’s journey from a promising young talent to a professional footballer began at Anderlecht, where Kompany played a vital role in shaping his career. Kompany joined the Belgian club as a player-manager, bringing his vast experience from his illustrious career in England to the development of young players like Doku.

“Vincent Kompany came to Anderlecht, first as a coach and also as a player,” Doku recalled in a conversation with FourFourTwo. “Playing alongside him, receiving passes from him—it was an honour. He was already a legend for City, so it was a privilege to learn from him.”

Although Kompany eventually stepped aside from his managerial duties to focus on playing for another season, he retired in 2020 to dedicate himself entirely to coaching. This period coincided with Doku’s final months at Anderlecht, allowing the young winger to absorb valuable lessons from the former defender.

“He taught me a lot,” Doku continued. “When he was my coach, he reminded me a lot of Pep Guardiola. I’m not surprised he’s been so successful at Bayern Munich.”

Doku, who signed for Manchester City in 2023, has since made significant progress in his career. His international breakthrough came at the age of 18 when he made his debut for Belgium under Kompany’s tenure. After a late substitute appearance against Denmark in the Nations League, Doku started in the following match against Iceland, scoring in Belgium’s emphatic 5-1 victory.

The Belgian winger continues to credit Kompany’s influence for shaping his footballing mindset, praising his former mentor’s tactical understanding and leadership qualities. With Kompany now guiding Bayern Munich, Doku’s reflections underline the deep respect and admiration he still holds for his former coach.