The news hit like a bombshell on Monday evening: according to consistent English media reports, Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City after ten years, causing great nervousness at FC Bayern, especially because of Vincent Kompany
According to several British media reports, Guardiola is said to have already informed the Sky Blues‘ management of his voluntary departure in the summer
This automatically brings the question of who will sit on the bench of the English top club in the future to the fore
Kompany was long considered Guardiola’s favorite
In recent months, Vincent Kompany has repeatedly been touted as the preferred choice to succeed Guardiola. The Bayern coach has legendary status at Manchester City. Between 2008 and 2019, the Belgian played more than 350 competitive matches for the Citizens, won four Premier League titles and captained the club for many years
What’s more, Guardiola himself publicly stated just a few weeks ago that he could imagine Kompany as City coach one day
Bayern patron Uli Hoeneß also recently confirmed that Manchester City’s interest played a role in the 40-year-old’s early contract extension
Bayern fans react nervously
The unrest among Bayern fans on social media is correspondingly high. „Bayern don’t have to fool themselves: if Manchester City really knock on Vincent Kompany’s door, the issue is over,“ wrote one user on X
Another fan commented: „Bayern was probably never the long-term project for Kompany, but rather the perfect interim solution until the City job becomes available.“
In fact, a move would be emotionally understandable: Kompany has close ties to City and is highly regarded there
However, there are also reassuring factors from FC Bayern’s point of view. Kompany extended his contract with the German record champions on a long-term basis until 2029 just a few months ago. According to current information, the working paper does not contain an exit clause
In addition, the sporting development in Munich is currently almost ideal. The Belgian led FC Bayern straight to a commanding championship, broke several attacking records and can even crown the season with the double next weekend
Many fans therefore do not believe he will leave in the short term
„Kompany will have enough ambition to want to win the Champions League with Bayern at least once,“ wrote one supporter on X. „Theoretically, he can still take over the City job later.“
Manchester City apparently already in agreement with Maresca
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the concerns of Bayern supporters are unfounded anyway, as Manchester City have already found a successor in Enzo Maresca
Romano reports that the two sides have agreed in principle to work together and that the Italian, who most recently worked at Chelsea FC, will receive a contract at City until 2029
This currently suggests that Kompany will continue his successful work at FC Bayern.