Bayern Munich appointed Vincent Kompany as their new head coach on a three-year contract on Wednesday, in a surprising move. Despite Kompany’s Burnley team being relegated from the Premier League this season, the 38-year-old Belgian takes the helm at the German giants.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of FC Bayern. It’s a great honour to be able to work for this club – FC Bayern is an institution in international football,” Kompany said in a club statement. “I’m now looking forward to the basics: working with the players, building a team. Once the basis is right, success will follow.”
Kompany’s appointment concludes Bayern’s extensive search for a successor to Thomas Tuchel following the club’s first trophyless season in 12 years. Bayern announced Tuchel’s departure in February after falling behind eventual champions Bayer Leverkusen in the title race.
Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann, and Austria manager Ralf Rangnick reportedly declined Bayern’s interest before the club settled on Kompany.
Kompany took over at Burnley in July 2022 and led the team to promotion from the Championship in his first season. However, they struggled in the Premier League, winning only five games and recording 24 points—the club’s lowest top-flight tally in history.
Despite the challenges, Kompany maintained the support of his former coach at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, who recommended him to Bayern.
“Vincent Kompany is the type of coach who fits in very well with FC Bayern’s playing philosophy and identity,” said sporting director Christoph Freund. “He’s a young, very ambitious coach with a lot of international experience. He has his finger on the pulse when it comes to the players and knows exactly what needs to happen on the pitch. He can and will give our team an enormous amount.”
Kompany’s previous experience in the Bundesliga, having played for Hamburg for two seasons, and his ability to speak German were seen as significant advantages by the Bayern board. Burnley will reportedly receive £10 million ($13 million) in compensation for releasing their manager.
“Whilst we were initially confident in retaining our manager, the changing dynamics of the situation made this impossible,” Burnley said in a statement. “We understand the allure and prestige of a club like Bayern Munich and respect Vincent’s ambition to explore new opportunities.”
AFP
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