Jeremy Doku has revealed that working under Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht reminded him of the influence of Pep Guardiola — and says he is not surprised by the success Kompany has gone on to achieve at Bayern Munich.

Doku came through the Anderlecht academy before making the move to Stade de Reims and, later, Manchester City. It was during his formative years at Anderlecht that he first experienced Kompany's coaching philosophy up close — and the impression it left was a lasting one.

"When he was my coach, he reminded me a lot of Pep Guardiola," Doku said. "I'm not surprised he's been so successful at Bayern Munich."

Guardiola's shadow over Kompany's methods

The comparison to Guardiola carries considerable weight coming from Doku, who now trains under the Catalan at Manchester City and has experienced elite-level coaching from both men. To draw a line between the two speaks to Kompany's tactical clarity, his attention to detail, and his ability to communicate a clear footballing identity to his players.

Kompany spent the bulk of his playing career at Manchester City, captaining the club through their most transformative era under Guardiola and Roberto Mancini. That immersion in elite football culture — particularly under Guardiola's meticulous methods — appears to have shaped his approach to management in fundamental ways.

Kompany's rise in management

After retiring from playing, Kompany returned to Anderlecht as player-manager before transitioning into a full coaching role. He subsequently took charge of Burnley, leading them to the Championship title before moving to Bayern Munich — one of the biggest clubs in world football.

His appointment at Bayern Munich raised eyebrows at the time, given his relatively limited managerial experience. But praise from players like Doku, who worked with him before his rise to prominence, suggests that Kompany's qualities as a coach were evident long before he arrived in the Bundesliga.

For Doku, the parallels with Guardiola are rooted in more than tactics. Both managers demand intensity, structure, and a shared understanding of how the game should be played — qualities that Doku has now experienced under both men at the highest level.