Vincent Kompany: 5 reasons Bayern Munich settled on ex-Man City captain as new manager

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany (IMAGO)

Vincent Kompany: 5 reasons Bayern Munich settled on ex-Man City captain as new manager

Mark Kinyanjui 05:59 - 30.05.2024

Here are the five reasons German giants Bayern Munich made the shocking decision to appoint Vincent Kompany as their new head coach.

In a surprising turn of events, Bayern Munich have appointed Vincent Kompany as their new head coach, following an extensive and tumultuous managerial search. 

It will be remembered as one of the strangest managerial searches of recent years.

In February, Bayern Munich decided to part ways with Thomas Tuchel. Since then, they have spoken to Julian Nagelsmann, Xabi Alonso, Ralf Rangnick and Hansi Flick, were frustrated in an approach for Oliver Glasner, and even failed to persuade Tuchel to stay on.

Kompany, who recently led Burnley to relegation from the Premier League, signed a three-year deal at Bayern’s Sabener Strasse offices. It is understandably shocking, considering making the direct step up from Burnley to Bayern in itself is laughable, on paper.

Here are five reasons why Bayern Munich decided to settle for Kompany, as per The Athletic:

1. Fresh Perspective and Leadership Potential

Despite his inexperience at the top managerial level, Vincent Kompany brings a fresh perspective to Bayern Munich. 

His tenure at Burnley and previous coaching stint at Anderlecht showcased his potential to lead and inspire. Although he relegated Burnley, he also led them to promotion the season before with over 100 points.

For context, Enzo Maresca, who is expected to join Chelsea as new coach, also did the same at Leicester. 

Bayern’s board, including sporting director Christoph Freund and board director for sport Max Eberl, were extremely impressed by Kompany during their initial discussions. His enthusiasm and vision for the team convinced them that he was the right choice.

Besides, he would be working with a stronger pool of players who would suit his preferred tactical blueprint.

2. Connection to Pep Guardiola

Kompany's connection to Pep Guardiola played a significant role in Bayern’s decision. 

Having captained Manchester City under Guardiola, Kompany has been heavily influenced by the Spaniard’s tactical philosophy. 

Guardiola, who remains highly-respected at Bayern, provided a glowing reference for Kompany. The Belgian’s ability to implement a similar style of play, characterized by possession dominance and relentless pressing, aligns with Bayern’s preferred footballing ethos.

Having seen Mikel Arteta turn out to be a success at Arsenal, Bayern want that for their club.

3. Multilingual Capabilities

Kompany’s linguistic abilities were another factor in his favour. Fluent in German and French, Kompany is well-equipped to communicate effectively with both the local media and the diverse squad at Bayern, which includes several French-speaking players like Kingsley Coman, Dayot Upamecano, and Mathys Tel. 

This ability to bridge language barriers is seen as a way to foster unity within the team and build rapport with the media and fans.

4. Work Ethic and Attention to Detail

Kompany is known for his exceptional work ethic and meticulous attention to detail. At Burnley, he was recognized for his demanding training sessions and regular team meetings, always striving to find solutions and improve performance. 

Bayern values this dedication and sees it as crucial for maintaining high standards and driving the team forward. Kompany’s commitment to continuous development and learning is expected to bring a disciplined and professional approach to the squad.

5. Long-term Potential and Evolution

Bayern views Kompany as an evolving coach with significant long-term potential. While his time at Burnley was challenging, particularly in adapting to the Premier League, his style of play and tactical ideas have shown promise. 

At Bayern, he will have access to a superior squad, allowing him to better implement his strategies. The club believes that Kompany’s journey as a coach is just beginning and that he has the potential to grow and succeed at the highest level.

Vincent Kompany’s appointment as Bayern Munich’s head coach may have come as a surprise to many, but the club’s decision was based on a combination of his leadership potential, connection to Pep Guardiola, multilingual capabilities, work ethic, and long-term potential.

 While the appointment carries risks, Bayern Munich are confident that Kompany’s unique qualities will help restore the club to the summit of German and European football. Only time will tell if this bold move will pay off, but the foundation has been set for an exciting new chapter at Bayern Munich.