FC Bayern is in a sporting phase that stands out even in the club’s history, which is so spoiled by success. All the more remarkable are the insights that Honorary President Uli Hoeneß has now given into the origins of this success. The 74-year-old also provided exciting insights into Vincent Kompany
As part of the Legends Cup at the SAP Garden, the club patron not only spoke about the record champions‘ positive development, but also provided a rarely candid look behind the scenes – in particular at the emotional state of head coach Vincent Kompany after a summer full of missed transfer opportunities
Hoeneß made it clear that the path taken was by no means a smooth one. The transfer period in particular had left its mark internally. „The secret is that our coach was ready for it,“ said Hoeneß – referring to an attitude that is not a matter of course at FC Bayern. Kompany had accepted that not all of the desired players could be signed, although these very reinforcements were originally part of the sporting plans
Kompany’s quiet disappointment after the summer transfer window
Particularly explosive: Hoeneß admitted that Kompany was definitely disappointed about the failed transfers. „He was sometimes a little sad that one or two transfers didn’t work out,“ explained the honorary president. Hoeneß did not explicitly name names, but it is clear that it was mainly about players such as Florian Wirtz or Nick Woltemade, both of whom were intensively traded at FCB. Both were considered profiles that would have further refined Kompany’s playing idea – both did not come in the end
Wirtz in particular was a huge disappointment. The exceptional player from Bayer Leverkusen would have been a perfect fit for Kompany’s attacking positional play, but was not financially or strategically feasible. Woltemade was also seen internally as a building block capable of development in order to create width and depth in the attacking squad. The fact that these options fell through – as Hoeneß now openly admits – hit the Belgian hard
However, the decisive factor was what followed. „But he didn’t lament for long and rolled up his sleeves,“ Hoeneß continued. This sentence describes the turning point. Instead of building up pressure publicly or pointing out missed opportunities internally, Kompany consistently focused on the available material
Trust instead of frustration – and the consequences
This rethink had far-reaching consequences. Hoeneß put it in a nutshell when he explained: „If all the players we were told would play in Munich, there would be no Karl in the first team. Then there would be no Bischof in the first team or the other youngsters who are there now.“ A sentence that seems like a silent reckoning with the transfer fixation of recent years
Instead of external solutions, the focus shifted to internal answers. Lennart Karl was not only integrated, but became a difference-maker. Tom Bischof was given responsibility at the highest level. Other talents moved closer to the professional squad. All of this happened because Kompany was prepared to go along with the course that had been set – even if it was originally planned differently
Success proves the path right
What Hoeneß described as a „wonderful consequence“ is now visible on the pitch: a team with a clear structure, a high level of identification and remarkable unity. FC Bayern does not look like a squad that has been bought together, but rather like a grown construct – supported by players who feel confidence
This is precisely why Hoeneß‘ insight weighs so heavily. It shows that the current high has not come about despite the disappointments of the past summer, but also because of them. Kompany’s ability to turn frustration into energy has not weakened the record champions, but rather grounded them.