At FC Bayern, there is hope for Vincent Kompany’s imminent return. The head coach recently had to take a break for health reasons and was replaced by his assistant, Aaron Danks. Danks has now shared insights into his conversations with the Belgian and hinted that the upcoming international break could play a key role in the decision regarding Kompany’s return. Sporting director Christoph Freund is also expressing optimism.
“I’ve had a few really good phone calls with Vincent; he seems very positive and appears to be on the road to a full recovery,” Danks explained at the press conference ahead of the match against Mainz. While the Englishman did not want to give a specific timeline for his return, he pointed to the coming days as a possible opportunity for a decision.
“The international break provides a good opportunity to reflect and see when he can return,” said Danks. This means a return after the break remains at least a possibility. However, there is no firm commitment to a specific date.
Freund offers hope for a soon-to-come Kompany comeback
Sports director Christoph Freund also commented on Sky about the Bayern coach’s situation. The Austrian confirmed that they remain in contact with Kompany, though soccer is currently not the focus of their conversations.
“We’re in touch regularly, even though we’re deliberately not talking too much about soccer right now. But he’s doing well. Things are moving in a positive direction ,and he’s taking the time he needs,”Freund explained.
From the sporting director’s perspective, it is particularly important that Kompany be able to continue his recovery without any additional pressure. “I think that’s very, very important for him right now,” emphasized the 49-year-old.
Looking ahead to the upcoming international break, Freund expressed strong confidence. “The international break is coming up, and I’m very, very optimistic that we’ll see him back soon,” the Bayern boss said.
However, Freund also declined to give a specific date for the Belgian’s return. “But we won’t set a specific date. As soon as he feels good again and is fully fit, I’m convinced he’ll want to come back as soon as possible. Because this is his Bayern—this is the job he loves,” Freund clarified.
The Munich club is thus continuing to take a cautious approach. Kompany is not expected to return to the sidelines until he has fully recovered.
Danks explains the collaboration with Kompany
Since Kompany’s absence, Danks has taken charge on the sidelines. The Englishman emphasized that working alongside the head coach has helped him carry on the team’s philosophy and style of play.
“It’s a difficult balance; we’ve been working very closely together for two and a half years. I understand the values and principles—it’s helped that we’ve been working together for so long,” Danks explained. His goal, he said, was to preserve the playing philosophy they developed together and implement it consistently.
He noted that he wasn’t the only one who stepped up. “Everyone went the extra mile—the players, everyone on the coaching staff,” the 42-year-old emphasized.
The team tried to demonstrate the principles set by Kompany on the field even without their head coach: “We got through this period and did it in his style of leadership. We tried to show everything he had helped us develop.”
Danks raves about the team
The assistant coach was particularly impressed by the team’s mentality. The players supported one another, and even the injured players remained part of the team’s cohesion.
“I learned the most from the players—from their mentality, how they stick together as a group, how they support one another—even the injured ones. Their fighting spirit inspired me and taught me a lot about what it takes to compete at the highest level,” Danks explained.
He emphasized the team’s performance over his own role: “I’m trying to find the right words, but they’re the ones who deliver on the field. I have great respect for that.”
For Bayern, the positive update on Kompany is welcome news. The statements from Danks and Freund suggest that the Belgian is making significant progress in his recovery.
However, it remains to be seen whether Kompany will actually return to the bench immediately after the international break. What matters most to the club’s leadership isn’t a specific date, but the full recovery of their head coach.