Former Sunderland and Aston Villa striker and talkSPORT pundit Darren Bent says Vincent Kompany should remain at Burnley if Leeds United were to make an approach for him.

Kompany has done an outstanding job at Turf Moor since his appointment in the summer and it has led to some speculation that he could be considered for the vacant managerial position at Elland Road.

Leeds are without a manager after the sacking of Jesse Marsch on Monday, with the American dismissed after a run of seven league games without a win which left the club 17th in the Premier League table and only outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

West Bromwich Albion head coach Carlos Corberan was thought to be one of the leading contenders for the role, but he ruled himself out of the running by signing a contract extension at The Hawthorns last night.

Kompany will no doubt he attracting admirers after his impressive work in Lancashire, with the Clarets currently sitting top of the Championship, 17 points clear of third-placed Middlesbrough and looking well on course for an instant top flight return.

The BBC's Adam Pope claimed that Kompany "would certainly appeal" to Leeds after his experience as a player in the top flight with Manchester City and the managerial promise he has shown so far.

But Bent said it would make no sense for Kompany to depart Burnley for Elland Road given the club's respective positions at present.

"That’s a different conversation in itself," Bent said on talkSPORT on his drive time show with Andy Goldstein. "If he’s going to a stable club in the Premier League, like a middle-of-the-road type of club.

"Let’s have a look, if he was going someone like Aston Villa, who are 11th or even Brentford and Brighton, these guys are not going down, then it makes sense to go back to the Premier League.

"I get that (still a long way to go in the season), but Burnley are absolutely flying.

"Who is the bigger club: Leeds are the bigger club. But which club is in the most stable position? Because surely stability plays a part. Leeds could go down. Once he gets them promoted, then he has a decision to make."

 

 

The verdict

You would have to agree with Bent's comments here.

It can be debated who the bigger club is between Leeds or Burnley or who has the better long-term potential, but at this moment in time, there is no doubt the Clarets are a more attractive proposition.

They are all but guaranteed to be in the Premier League next season, so the immediate lure of the top flight would be unlikely to convince Kompany to leave the exciting project he has started at Turf Moor.

With there being a realistic prospect of the two clubs swapping places next campaign, Bent is right that this is a move Kompany should avoid if an approach was made.