Bayern expect Kompany to miss weeks after hospital collapse

Vincent Kompany. Photo: FC Bayern Munchen on X

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany is expected to be absent for weeks after collapsing while watching a training session involving the club’s reserve team, with sporting director Max Eberl ruling out a rushed return.

The German club confirmed on Friday that the 40-year-old Belgian had required medical attention and was undergoing thorough examinations in hospital. Bayern said his coaching staff would take charge of training and match activities until further notice.

Eberl, speaking in a press conference on Saturday, said the club would give Kompany all the time he needed to recover, stressing that it would not set a specific return date.

“Vinnie will get all the time he needs. We’re not going to start setting up any timelines. We need to figure out what it is, and then it’s about what the recovery time means. We won’t be talking about days, but about weeks. That’s clear to all of us,” he said.

Kompany had reportedly been experiencing health problems in the days before the collapse.

Kompany missed a training session and a pre-match press conference ahead of Bayern’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Arsenal on Wednesday, but returned to the dugout for the match, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

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His absence will also affect Bayern’s preparations for their Bundesliga trip to Freiburg on Sunday, with assistant coach Aaron Danks expected to lead the team.

Eberl said the club had full confidence in its coaching staff and did not intend to make changes while Kompany recovered.

“We have such a fantastic coaching staff, whose head is Vinnie. But the success is based on an outstanding team in the background. There’s not the slightest thought of changing anything there,” he said.

Bayern have not publicly confirmed the precise cause of Kompany’s collapse. Eberl said the club would wait for the medical examinations rather than speculate about his condition.

Kompany joined Bayern in 2024 after coaching Burnley and led the Munich club to the Bundesliga title in his first season. Bayern extended his contract in October 2025 until June 2029.

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