Vincent Kompany has led FC Bayern back to the top of Europe in a very short space of time – but the Belgian wants no part of the growing hype surrounding him. Ahead of the Champions League clash against Real Madrid, the 40-year-old had clear words and made it clear that public assessments do not influence him
When Kompany arrived at Säbener Straße in the summer of 2024, he was still considered an emergency solution. After several rejections from preferred candidates, the Bayern bosses opted for the then comparatively inexperienced coach. Almost a year and a half later, the picture has completely changed: FCB are playing in dominant fashion, are on course for the title – and Kompany is considered by many experts to be one of the best coaches in Europe at the moment
„You can’t always follow the hype“
But it is precisely this development that the Belgian is critical of. „You can’t always follow the hype and you can’t always follow the drama,“ he explained at the press conference – addressing a fundamental problem in soccer
Kompany referred to the fast pace of public perception: „You can’t live with the fact that two years ago I was the worst coach and today I’m the very best.“ A statement that shows how consciously the Bayern coach deals with external assessments
For Kompany, one thing is clear: if you allow yourself to be overly influenced by praise or criticism, you lose focus. „If you allow yourself to be influenced by these noises, then you become worse,“ he emphasized
Instead, the 40-year-old focuses on consistency – regardless of whether the mood is positive or negative at the time. He makes it clear that he can deal with both success and setbacks: „It’s nicer this way, but I can also survive and live happily in a tougher environment.“
Calm as a success factor
This attitude is also reflected in FC Bayern’s development. Under Kompany, not only has the style of play improved, but also the atmosphere within the team. Calmness, clarity and structure have become key elements – factors that could be decisive in the hot phase of the season
Especially ahead of the important clash with Real Madrid, this calmness is an advantage. While great expectations and euphoria are being built up from the outside, the coach is deliberately keeping his distance
Kompany’s words are therefore also a clear message to his team: it is not what is said from the outside that counts – only what happens on the pitch
FC Bayern will go into the second leg against the Whites with a broad chest, but instead of being dazzled by their own highs, the coach is focusing on maximum concentration
Or, to put it in his own words: if you follow the hype, you will get worse. And that is exactly what Kompany wants to prevent.