Following Vincent Kompany’s collapse, there is great concern at FC Bayern about the head coach’s health. The 40-year-old had to be taken to a hospital on Friday afternoon after suffering a medical emergency at the training facility on Säbener Straße. His condition is reportedly stable now. Nevertheless, the Belgian may be facing a prolonged forced break.
Kompany had already been battling a persistent viral infection in recent days. Despite this, he was on the sidelines Wednesday for the 2-2 draw against Arsenal. Just under two days later, he collapsed on the sidelines during a training session with the reserve team.
It is currently completely unclear how long the Bayern coach will be sidelined. Walter M. Straten, deputy sports editor at BILD, does not expect the Belgian to return anytime soon, however.
Straten commented on the possible consequences of the medical emergency. In doing so, he referred in particular to Kompany’s own statements after the Champions League match against Arsenal. The Bayern coach had admitted to pushing his body too hard while he was sick.
For Straten, it is therefore clear that Kompany now needs sufficient time to recover. “Well, I definitely don’t see him on the bench on Sunday. I can’t imagine that,” the journalist explained, referring to the Bundesliga away game at SC Freiburg.
Given the circumstances, Straten considers an immediate comeback hardly justifiable. At the same time, he emphasized that the exact cause of the collapse is not yet known.
A longer forced break for Kompany?
According to the BILD journalist, it might make sense to take Kompany out of training for an extended period. “And as for what happens next in the Champions League—whether he’ll be back then, or whether they’ll decide to sit him out for several weeks to make sure there are no lingering effects,” Straten explained.
In doing so, he referred generally to the potential risks of viral infections among athletes, without making a specific diagnosis regarding Kompany. His personal assessment was nonetheless clear: “I just think Kompany really needs a longer break right now.”
At FC Bayern, too, the coach’s health currently takes precedence over all sporting considerations. Sports director Max Eberl had already announced that Kompany would receive all necessary medical care and sufficient time for his recovery. According to information from SPORT1, the Belgian will not return to the bench until he is 100 percent fit.
During his absence, assistant coach Aaron Danks will take charge of the team.
It remains to be seen when Kompany will actually be able to return. Straten’s statements are a personal assessment and not a medical prognosis. The Munich club has not yet specified an official duration for his absence.