Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany was hospitalized on Friday after collapsing during a training session with the club’s reserve team, Bayern announced. The 40-year-old former Manchester City defender is undergoing thorough medical evaluations and will remain under care, the club said.
Kompany had missed training and a press conference earlier in the week ahead of Bayern’s Champions League match against Arsenal, citing a viral illness. “I caught a pretty nasty virus last week, and of course I didn’t listen to my body—and then at some point my body just said, ‘enough is enough,’” Kompany said following the Arsenal game.
Bayern sporting director Max Eberl emphasized that the coach’s health is the club’s primary concern. “We at FC Bayern will do everything we can to ensure he recovers quickly. Vinnie is receiving all the necessary medical care and support, as well as all the time he needs,” Eberl said. Meanwhile, Kompany’s coaching staff will manage team duties during his absence.
English assistant coach Aaron Danks took charge of training sessions and spoke on Kompany’s condition earlier in the week, noting that the virus caused him leg pain and that rest was essential. “The most important thing we’re encouraging him to do right now is rest and take as much time as he needs—no matter how long that may be,” Danks said.
Bayern currently lead the Bundesliga table and are preparing to face Freiburg on Saturday. Their next Champions League fixture is scheduled for November 3 against Atletico Madrid, which extended well-wishes to Kompany via social media, expressing hopes to see him back on the bench for the match.
Kompany’s playing career began at Anderlecht in Brussels before moves to Hamburg and then Manchester City, where he made 360 appearances and captained the club for eight seasons during a dominant era in English football. He earned 89 caps for Belgium and concluded his playing days as a player-coach at Anderlecht.
Transitioning to management, Kompany led Burnley to the Championship title in 2023 but faced relegation the following season. Bayern secured his services in 2024 after failing to retain Thomas Tuchel, a move that surprised many. Kompany has since guided Bayern to consecutive Bundesliga titles in his first two seasons and captured the German Cup in 2026. This season, Bayern currently top the Bundesliga on goal difference after six matches, having amassed 57 wins and only three losses in 74 league games under his leadership.
In addition to his football career, Kompany completed an MBA at Manchester Business School in 2018. Eberl recently praised his leadership, describing him as “friendly, open, and approachable,” while also possessing clear tactical vision and determination on the pitch.