Vincent Kompany has turned FC Bayern back into the dominant Bundesliga leaders in just 1.5 years. In the club magazine „51“, the 39-year-old spoke surprisingly openly about his soccer idea, his principles – and why he firmly rejects the idea that FC Bayern should play „Kompany soccer“ in future.
Right at the start of the interview, Kompany dispels a common narrative: „I don’t want to see ‚Kompany soccer‘ – I want to see Bayern Munich.“
It is a message that could hardly illustrate his attitude more clearly. For the coach, it is not the personal stamp that counts, not the idea of a stylistic trademark, but a collective that is dangerous in every phase of the game. „Even if we defend deep in the penalty area, the opponent should know that we can strike with three passes.“
These sentences reveal a lot about his basic idea: pragmatism, variability and a game based on principles rather than dogma. For him, run values or possession statistics are at best a by-product – the decisive factor is „that we always have a plan“.
„Teamwork beats tactics“ – Kompany’s core principle
Kompany specifies his idea of perfect Bayern soccer by clearly focusing on those players who should make the difference. „I want our technically strongest players to get the ball, the four, five up front in the highest line. Those are the guys who make the difference.“
The rest of the team has to ensure that these attacking players get into positions where they can develop their quality to the maximum. Opening up spaces, getting balls to them, creating situations – according to Kompany, all of this is the basis of a dominant Bayern game.
Despite his tactical depth, the Belgian coach is not a theoretician who gets lost in the details. For him, the core of the game still lies in attitude, in working together. „The most important thing is the mentality that everyone runs for each other: teamwork beats tactics.“
He describes the team he dreams of as „a team with the force of a hurricane“. A team that works together, carries each other, generates energy. If these conditions are right, then there is „no limit“ for FC Bayern.
Private happiness, sporting stability – Kompany’s view of 2025
In the interview, Kompany also looks back on a year that was a milestone for him both personally and professionally. „It was a year in which I felt very comfortable,“ he explains. His family has settled in perfectly in Munich, both culturally and privately.
He also raves about his professional environment: „I work in a great environment, with people who challenge me and with whom I can speak openly.“
And he says a sentence about his team that reveals a lot about the mood at Säbener Straße: „I have a team that makes me happy.“
A coach who understands Bayern
Kompany’s words show that he has long understood what FC Bayern is all about: no ideology, but principles; no egomania, but team spirit; no rigidity, but a clear plan in every phase.
His aim is not to leave an aesthetic signature, but to form a successful Bayern team – one that dominates, reacts, finds solutions and does not overload itself with symbolism.