Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany was taken to hospital after collapsing during an U23 training session on Friday afternoon. The 40-year-old is in a stable condition but will not return to his duties for the foreseeable future.
Sporting director Max Eberl confirmed Kompany will be absent for an indefinite period, with recovery expected to take weeks rather than days. The team will be led in this phase by assistant coach Aaron Danks, who also took the pre-match press conference on Tuesday. Danks explained it is a challenge to get Kompany to rest, as he is a real leader and works hard. The coach has a virus and needs to recover.
Virus led to collapse
Kompany had been suffering from a virus infection for weeks, leading to irregular eating, excessive coffee consumption and sleep deprivation. The coach experienced hip problems which made prolonged standing and stair climbing difficult. He had already missed training on Monday and Tuesday for comprehensive medical check-ups. The collapse occurred on Friday at Bayern's training facility in Munich, after which he was transported to a Munich hospital by ambulance and helicopter.
The coach described his situation. As a coach you always want to do everything and take everything on, Kompany said. He caught a hefty virus, did not listen to his body and eventually his body said stop.
Danks leads key period
Responsibility for training and match operations now lies with his coaching team led by Aaron Danks. This comes during a tough spell for the team. Their last five matches have yielded zero wins, three draws and two defeats. The most recent result was a draw against Arsenal in the Champions League last Wednesday, a game Kompany watched from the bench after a day of rest. Prior to that was a convincing home win over RB Leipzig, which the coach also observed from the touchline while relying on Danks.
The next task is an away fixture at SC Freiburg on Saturday. The team needs to make up ground in the Bundesliga. The injury list is another factor the coaching staff must monitor.
Messages of support for Kompany came from various quarters, including former clubs like Manchester City and Arsenal, as well as from German Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär. The club stressed that the coach's health is the absolute priority. Kompany, a former Belgium international and club legend at Manchester City, began his career at Anderlecht and HSV before taking the manager's job in Munich for the 2024/25 season. His relentless drive has now become his biggest adversary. Medical observation in hospital continues while Danks prepares the team for Freiburg.
The original report is at Bild
