Vincent Kompany’s outstanding work at FC Bayern is also gaining recognition on the international stage. The 40-year-old is among the five nominees for the 2026 Men’s Coach of the Year award as part of the Ballon d’Or Awards.
This nomination primarily honors Kompany’s successful second season with the record-holding German champions. In 2025–26, Bayern Munich won the domestic double—the Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal—and remained in contention for the Champions League title well into the tournament.
In the Champions League, Kompany led his team to the semifinals. Even though they fell short of reaching the final, Bayern definitively reestablished itself among Europe’s strongest teams last season.
The fact that Kompany himself could now be honored for his work fits in with the developments of the past two years.
Kompany’s remarkable rise at FC Bayern
Yet the Belgian’s signing in the summer of 2024 was certainly met with skepticism. Kompany had just been relegated from the Premier League with Burnley FC. The fact that Bayern Munich, of all clubs, subsequently placed its faith in the then-relatively inexperienced coach sparked a great deal of debate.
Two years later, the picture has changed dramatically. Kompany led the Munich team back to domestic titles while simultaneously developing a squad that once again ranks among the top teams internationally.
Above all, his attacking style of play, aggressive counter-pressing, and the way he handles his players have earned him a great deal of respect within the club.
Most recently, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen also publicly praised his coach, even describing his hiring as a “true stroke of luck.” Kompany has a long-term contract in Munich through 2029 and is expected to continue shaping the record champion’s sporting development in the years to come.
Prominent Competition for Kompany
However, the competition for the award is top-notch. Alongside Kompany, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery and Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta were nominated.
Also on the list are Spain’s national team coach Luis de la Fuente and Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique. This means the Bayern coach is up against four other coaches who can also look back on a successful season or year.
For Kompany, simply being named among the final five is a remarkable achievement. In just two years, his situation has completely changed: from relegation from the Premier League with Burnley to being among the candidates for the award for best men’s coach.
FC Bayern is thus prominently represented in multiple categories at this year’s Ballon d’Or Awards. Earlier, the club itself was announced as one of five nominees for the Men’s Club of the Year award.
Now Kompany can also hope for a personal award. His nomination certainly shows that Bayern Munich’s successful rebuilding under the Belgian coach has long been recognized even outside of Germany.