Eberl Says Kompany Needs Protecting From Himself After Training Collapse

• Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany, 40, is in hospital in a stable condition after collapsing at the club’s training ground on Friday.
• Sporting director Max Eberl says recovery will take “weeks” and that the club will try to protect Kompany “from himself”.
• Bayern kept Sunday’s game at Freiburg on the calendar, and assistant Aaron Danks is running football operations.

A Collapse at the Training Ground and a Warning From the Club

Max Eberl has a blunt message about the health of the man who runs his dressing room. Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany needs “protecting from himself”, the club’s director of sport said, after Kompany collapsed at the training ground on Friday and was taken to hospital. Kompany, 40, is in a stable condition, and Eberl said examinations are continuing.

The collapse came as Kompany watched the club’s second team train. Bayern confirmed that he required medical care. “Kompany is undergoing thorough examinations in hospital and will remain under medical care,” the club said. His coaching staff will oversee training and match activities until further notice.

A Week of Warning Signs

Kompany had been unwell with a viral infection that affected his legs over the past week. Assistant Aaron Danks took over his training and media duties on Tuesday, and said then that Kompany “felt some pain” at times. “The most important thing we’ve just encouraged is that he rests, he takes the time he needs,” Danks said.

Kompany was on the touchline for the Champions League game against Arsenal on Wednesday. He missed the pre-match news conference the day before. After the match he acknowledged that he had tried to push through the illness and had not listened to the signals from his body.

The signs were visible earlier. Kompany was subdued and stayed seated through Bayern’s 6-1 Bundesliga win over Leipzig on Saturday. Eberl said at the time that the coach, who reportedly needed help to climb stairs, was dealing with both the virus and a hip injury.

Eberl Asks Whether the Brakes Came On Early Enough

Eberl did not duck the question of whether Bayern should have acted sooner. He wondered whether the club “should have put the brakes on him earlier”. Then he explained the club’s position. “The fact is, we protect our coach wherever we can,” he said. “If a coach says he feels ready to do something, then we’re not going to say ‘we won’t allow that’ if we don’t know what’s going on.”

Eberl also pointed to personal responsibility. “Vinnie’s a hard worker,” Eberl said. “If you don’t listen to the subtle signals your body sends, eventually it will scream out in pain.” Bayern, he said, will “try, even more than before, to protect him from himself”.

The timeline is open. “Vinnie will be given all the time he needs. We’re not starting to put together any timeframes,” Eberl said. “We won’t be talking about days, but weeks,” he added.

Football Goes On at Freiburg

Bayern considered asking for Sunday’s Bundesliga game at Freiburg to be postponed. Eberl said the club decided the best tonic for Kompany would be to “play and be successful”. Bayern are joint top of the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund after four wins from their opening six games.

Danks has spoken with Kompany in hospital, and said the conversation had nothing to do with tactics. “I explained to him that we would be having no football conversations,” Danks said. “It was just checking in on his health and making sure he’s OK.” He added that the staff will work as a team to keep the club moving forward.

Messages From His Former Club

Kompany joined Bayern from Burnley in 2024 and has won the Bundesliga twice. Last season his team reached the Champions League semifinals and won the German Cup. Before management, he spent 11 years at Manchester City as a player and won four Premier League titles.

City were among the clubs to wish him well. “Everyone at Manchester City is wishing a speedy recovery to our former captain and Club legend, Vincent Kompany,” the club posted on X. “Get well soon, Vinny.”

For now Bayern have one aim for their coach, and Eberl stated it plainly: Kompany gets all the time he needs.