Former Burnley manager and Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has been appointed head coach by the Bundesliga team Bayern Munich despite finishing 19th in the Premier League.
Succeeding Thomas Tuchel, Kompany signed a three-year deal after the clubs agreed to a compensation package of £10m. Kompany said: “It’s a great honour to work for this club, FC Bayern is an institution in international football. As a coach, you have to stand for who you are as a person.
“I love having the ball, being creative and we also have to be aggressive on the pitch and courageous. I’m now looking forward to the most basic things: working with the players, building a team. When the foundation is in place, success will follow.”
Kompany’s managerial career began at Anderlecht, where he spent two seasons. Shortly after, in June 2022, Kompany was appointed manager of Burnley.
The 38-year-old Belgian won the championship with Burnley in the 2022/23 season but suffered relegation in the Premier League with 24 points. Burnley were confident they could keep Kompany at Turf Moor, but the everchanging dynamics of the situation made it difficult.
Burnley said: “We understand the allure and prestige of a club like Bayern Munich and respect Vincent’s ambition to explore new opportunities.”
Tuchel left Bayern this month off the back of their worst season since 2010/11 after the club finished third in the Bundesliga.
The job was offered to Bayer Leverkusen Manager Xabi Alonso, German national team manager Julian Nagelsmann, and Austrian national team manager Ralf Rangnick, who all turned down the offer.
Bayern Munich’s sporting director, Christoph Freund, said: “Vincent Kompany is a type of coach who fits in very well with FC Bayern’s playing philosophy and identity.
“He is a young, very ambitious coach who brings a lot of international experience, has his finger on the pulse of the players and knows exactly what should happen on the pitch.”
the publics opinion on Kompanys appointment
Kompany’s appointment came as a shock to many people, considering that finishing 19th in the Premier League is not the best or biggest achievement. People took to X (Twitter) to voice their opinions. It’s not all bad—City fans are excited for him.
Not all hope is lost
Bayern is willing to look past results and watch Kompany grow with the club. The four-time Premier League winner, who played for Manchester City, may rediscover his winning touch with Bayern. Kompany did play for Hamburg in the Bundesliga, and he speaks fluent German.
Bayern sporting director Max Eberl said: “In our discussions with him, we were immediately on the same page. He made it clear to us how much the job at FC Bayern appeals to him and that he wants to take it on.
“Vincent Kompany is hungry and has everything he needs. Even as a player, he was a leading figure in top international football and is also progressing as a coach.
“We would like to see more continuity in this position again. Together with him, we want to accomplish a lot at FC Bayern – and, of course, be successful together.”
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