A surprising choice is emerging in FC Bayern Munich’s search for a new coach. Vincent Kompany, the former Manchester City defender and current Burnley coach, is highly favoured. His path may lead directly from the relegated Premier League team to the German record champions.
Vincent Kompany is known in England for his dominant and attacking style of play. Last season, he led Burnley to victory in the Championship – England’s second division – and was voted Coach of the Year. Despite relegation this season, he remained true to his philosophy, which he largely adopted from Pep Guardiola, under whom he played for three years at Manchester City. He is now being touted as Thomas Tuchel’s successor in Munich.
According to the Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad, it is rumoured in Munich that Kompany’s playing philosophy requires top players – he had them for the second English division, but not for the strong Premier League. At FC Bayern, on the other hand, his approach could be a better fit according to the club’s management and help the team get back on the road to success after a disappointing season. The former HSV professional also prefers to play in a 4-2-3-1 system. This is the same system that has been practised in Munich for years.
Scouts were impressed by Kompany
Interestingly, according to the report from Belgium, Bayern became aware of Kompany while watching loan player Joshua Zirkzee, who played under Kompany’s management at Anderlecht. The record champions‘ scouts were impressed by the way Kompany led the team. After an impressive career as a player, in which he played more than 250 Premier League games and won the English championship four times, the Belgian began his coaching career as a player-coach at his youth club RSC Anderlecht. Despite mixed success there, he showed great promise in the coaching role.
Bayern are looking for a coach who can set strong accents not only tactically, but also in terms of communication. Kompany’s fluency in German and his experience in top leagues make him an interesting candidate. His experience under successful coach Pep Guardiola is also an argument in favour of the 38-year-old coach.
