Vincent Kompany's first league match as Anderlecht player-manager did not go to plan, as the 34-time champion suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat to Oostende on Sunday.
Manchester City icon Kompany left the Premier League giant at the end of last season to return to his first club in a dual capacity following Anderlecht's disappointing fourth-place finish in 2018-19.
But its 2019-20 opener is proof Kompany has much work to do, as Oostende – who ended last term 14th in the 16-team division – came from behind to take the spoils.
The home fans unfurled an impressive tifo in tribute to Kompany before the match, with the banner reading "left as a prince, returned as a king".
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And it all looked to be going so well when Michel Vlap, a new €8million signing from Heerenveen, gave Anderlecht the early lead with a fine finish inside the area in the 13th minute.
But Oostende breached the host's defence – which included Kompany – soon after, with former Anderlecht midfielder Ronald Vargas converting Robbie D'Haese's low cross.
Samir Nasri was introduced as a substitute in the second half, with Kompany's former City colleague making his debut after joining on a free transfer.
But Oostende had designs on sealing all three points, and Fashion Sakala netted against the run of play 15 minutes from time to inflict a first competitive defeat on Kompany as player-manager in his debut outing.
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