Kompany masters balancing act, as ambitious Bayern targets 'big goals'

MUNICH, Germany — Two years after his surprise arrival in Munich from Burnley, Vincent Kompany has managed to do the impossible — being a "likable" Bayern coach while winning everything on offer in Germany.

Bayern's domestic dominance is such that the best a coach can usually hope for is begrudging respect from their rivals.

But Kompany — who remains in-tune on social issues while building Bayern into a ruthless, yet eye-catching, attacking powerhouse — has bucked that trend.

On Sunday, the former Manchester City captain was named coach of the year in Germany.

"Added to (his coaching achievements) is the empathetic and likable public image of the eloquent Belgian, which has certainly not hurt the popularity of the German powerhouse," wrote German sports magazine Kicker.

The 40-year-old has said that Bayern has "big goals" this season, setting his sights on winning the Champions League after last year's dramatic semifinal loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

Kompany ended an illustrious playing career in 2020, but it took him time to build up his reputation as a coach.

He made a solid, but unspectacular start to his coaching career at Anderlecht, but then produced the goods at Burnley, leading the club to promotion to the Premier League with a Championship-winning haul of 101 points.

Burnley was swiftly relegated from the English top flight the following season, with just 24 points from 38 games.

However, stung after a first trophyless season in 11 years, Bayern took a punt on Kompany, after attempts to sign, or in some cases re-sign, Xabi Alonso, Thomas Tuchel, Julian Nagelsmann, Ralf Rangnick and Oliver Glasner proved fruitless.

When Kompany joined Bayern, the Bavarians had not given a coach two full seasons since Pep Guardiola, who left in 2016.

Armed with the best squad in Germany and one of the best in Europe, Bayern coaches are damned to navigate a complex political framework while managing skyhigh expectations.

Time and again Kompany rose above the club's political bickering, a skill which eluded predecessors Nagelsmann and Tuchel.

He never aired his grievances publicly, even amid private setbacks. In October 2025, Kompany's deal was extended until 2029.

Kompany has more than won over Bayern's honorary president Uli Hoeness, who remains arguably the most powerful person at the club seven years after stepping down as its actual president.

Hoeness has frequently clashed with previous Bayern managers, but lavished praise on Kompany in February. "Vincent Kompany is like winning the lottery for us — with a bonus number on top," he said.

"He has achieved exactly what Thomas Tuchel, whom I consider a highly intelligent man, was never able to do here: Vincent immediately built a close connection with his players and showed genuine passion for them."

Speaking with reporters on Saturday, Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund — who made the then-surprising decision to bring Kompany to Munich — also praised the head coach.

"He's a good person and an outstanding personality. He is a leader and you can feel this every day," Freund said.

"And he's a really hard worker. It's really fun to work with him every day. The team likes him a lot."

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac is a man who knows the challenges of the Bayern dressing room well.

Kovac led Bayern to the 2018-19 league and cup double, but was sacked midway through the following season.

"He won a lot of titles, so he knows exactly how a dressing room is. I think Vincent understands exactly how to manage superstars. That's also very important," Kovac told reporters.

"And, sometimes as a coach, you need to get your experience.

"OK, he was relegated, but now he's won titles, he's reached the semifinals in the Champions League, so what does (relegation) actually mean?"

AFP