Vincent Kompany announced his Man City exit on Sunday (Image: GETTY)
The defender, 33, announced he was leaving the Premier League Champions after helping to land an unprecedented domestic treble beating Watford in the FA Cup on Saturday.
And he insisted he aims to recreate Pep Guardiola’s style at the Belgian club where he started his career.
“Pep Guardiola reignited my love for the game,” he said. “I’ve witnessed, participated, analysed, absorbed and studied. Man City play the football I want to play.
“It’s the football I want to teach and see played and I have decided to take up the challenge at RSC Anderlecht.”
Vincent Kompany has praised Pep Guardiola for his influence at City (Image: GETTY)
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But City are keen to retain strong links with the defender.
Kompany revealed he has given informal consultancy last year to Anderlecht who were under new ownership but struggling to turn it into consistent performances on the pitch.
But after the appointment of Frank Arnesen as Technical Director, the offer of the player-manager role came from Sporting Director Michale Verschueren came “not so long ago”.
Injuries have restricted Kompany’s playing time at City and the promise of budget, support staff and top facilities at Anderlecht has tempted the defender back.
“It’s the most passionate yet rational decision I’ve ever made,” he said.
Vincent Kompany leaves Manchester City as one of the club's greatest ever players (Image: GETTY)
Man City should be 'humble' over FA Cup win says Kompany
It will complete a return to the club where he started his career and cap a phenomenal final season at City.
“The end of this season couldn’t be more memorable,” he said. “I have lived the dream here and I have learned so much the last three years.
“Countless of times have I imagined this day [leaving], after all, the end has felt nearby for so many years. It still doesn’t feel real. Man City has given me everything and I’ve tried to give back as much as I possibly could.”
City, who will not make a decision on who replaces him as club captain until the summer, plan to give Kompany a proper send off at his testimonial match at the Etihad on September 11.
All proceeds have been promised to Tackle4MCR, a charity that Kompany helps to run which aims to tackle homelessness in Manchester.