- Vincent Kompany was introduced as Bayern Munich’s new coach, despite many being surprised due to his recent stint at Burnley
- Kompany emphasized wanting Bayern players to be brave, show personality, and embody his aggressive character on the ball
Vincent Kompany was officially introduced as Bayern Munich’s new coach on Thursday, expressing that he was not as surprised as many others in the football world by his appointment.
Bayern’s decision to hire the 38-year-old former Manchester City defender was unexpected to many, especially since his recent Premier League management stint ended with Burnley’s relegation just two weeks ago.
Addressing the media in German and English, Kompany explained, “The surprise stems from the assumption that Bayern was the only club that called, and because I am a private person. Perhaps I was surprised by the first call, but it wasn’t from Bayern Munich.”
Kompany succeeds Thomas Tuchel after Bayern unsuccessfully tried to recruit Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso, Germany’s Julian Nagelsmann, and Austria’s Ralf Rangnick.
Kompany outlined his vision for Bayern Munich, which recently experienced its first trophyless season in 12 years. He emphasized, “As a coach, you must reflect who you are. Growing up on the streets of Brussels, I want Bayern players to be brave and show personality on the ball. I want the team to be aggressive and embody my character.”
Kompany enjoyed a successful playing career, captaining Manchester City and the Belgian national team. He began his managerial career at Anderlecht, his first club. In 2022, he moved to Burnley, leading them to the Premier League as second-division champions. However, his team struggled the following season, winning only five games and returning to the Championship.