Vincent Kompany currently has every reason to be happy at FC Bayern – the record champions are performing at the highest level in sporting terms, but a very special milestone has now been reached in his private life. The Munich head coach celebrated his 40th birthday on Friday – and was surprised by his team in typical Bavarian style
No big party, at least if Kompany himself has his way. The Belgian made it clear in advance that he wanted to spend his special day as unspectacularly as possible. „Short answer, no,“ he said when asked about a celebration, adding with a grin: „If there’s a surprise, then I can’t help it…“
White sausage surprise in the dressing room
But the team didn’t let him get away without a celebration after all. After the press conference, the club organized a Weißwurst breakfast in the players‘ canteen – including a singing interlude, as reported by BILD. At 11 o’clock sharp, the Bayern stars loudly sang „Happy Birthday“, clapping and celebrating
Kompany gratefully accepted the spontaneous interlude, but remained true to his line: after a short thank-you speech, he immediately turned his focus back to the essentials – training in the afternoon. The coach is currently living in absolute „priority mode“, as he says himself
„I’m kind of trying to run away from everything that can happen on my birthday,“ he explained. Instead of big emotions, the decisive phase of the season is his priority. At least he hinted that there might be a little moment to toast in the evening: „Maybe a red wine tonight. But first we still have a lot of work to do.“
Record as a possible birthday present
The next task is not long in coming: FC Bayern will host FC St. Pauli on Saturday, where the team could give their coach a very special present
With a goal, the Munich side would equal the historic Bundesliga record of 101 goals from the 1971/72 season – and even surpass it with two goals. But even here Kompany remains consistent and does not think in such categories
„Three points are the most important thing first,“ he made clear. The respect for the opponent is great: „They defend very well. It is sometimes difficult to understand that they are at the bottom.“
This shows once again what currently sets Kompany apart: while people are celebrating around him, he remains focused like no other. It is precisely this attitude that is a central component of why FC Bayern is currently so stable and successful.