Why have Bayern Munich appointed Vincent Kompany?

Bayern Munich have finally secured a new Head Coach having appointed former Burnley manager Vincent Kompany.
So, why have Bayern chosen Kompany? How influential were his links to Pep Guardiola in their decision and how will the Belgian adapt to life in Bavaria after Burnley?
Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's Seb Stafford-Bloor and Andy Jones to analyse how the move came about and whether the Belgian will be a success in Munich.
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:14 Is the appointment a surprise?
00:01:10 Who else was considered?
00:04:15 The recruitment process
00:05:35 Who has been the main advocate for Kompany?
00:07:07 Tuchel & Bayern Munich
00:08:30 Kompany & management
00:13:28 Kompany & Bayern Munich squad
00:14:15 Kompany & Guardiola
00:16:22 His style of play
00:23:22 Will Kompany do well at Bayern?
00:32:15 Kompany & young players
00:35:25 Outro
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Thumbnail: S. Mellar / Contributor / FC Bayern via Getty Images
#bayernmunich #kompany #bundesliga

[@olifors7047]

At this point, if you have touched Peps hand, you will likely receive a job offer.

[@shanky1751]

You guys are obsessed with pep and city they really have got into your heads without trying

[@shishsuke]

​@@shanky1751I can show you at least 115 instances where they've definitely tried

[@amiaw12]

I touched his hand. Can I manage chelsea

[@olifors7047]

@@shanky1751 Actually not. But it's bizzare getting relegated and being a very poor team over a season and then getting Bayern Munich job offer.

[@DC-uf6ve]

I think Vince did a lot more than that, it was like that scene from Ghost towards the end.

[@bobbastian760]

I went to Barcelona once on holiday, a place Pep used to live. I guess I'll be on the shortlist next time too 😂

[@TomsManCave]

As a Burnley fan, I was really annoyed by his decision to abandon Muric, Benson and Zaroury, who were three players totally instrumental in our success. He deserves credit for the manner of our promotion, but his stubbornness and lack of loyalty/trust in the players is a massive reason why we were so embarrassing to watch in the Premier League this season.

[@gray100]

Would you like a tissue? 😂

[@fader1912]

Let’s be a bit more honest. Everyone at Burnley knew the promotion came too early and that’s not a bad thing but his system with those players in the prem doesn’t work…

[@TomsManCave]

@@fader1912 I don't disagree, but I think also sends a horrendous message to the squad when you don't stick with the base that has brought you success. Naïve to introduce a whole bunch of new players and let them cut their teeth in the Prem.

[@planetebeautecali4485]

​@@TomsManCaveHe thought he was upgrading every Manager does that, just watch Newcastle, the players that will get them there will all be sold.

[@albertcamus6611]

I'm surprised that you are surprised that people aren't "loyal" nowadays. I also don't think it is fair to judge people who make decisions for their career. He does not owe anyone anything. That being said.. I am traditional and would have had more respect if he stayed at Burnley and built his own there.

[@hobbyton3575]

As a German football fan I really love this appointment, this means more chaos in Bayern, especially once a few games start going against them and Harry Kane not able to match his last season (remember that a third of his goals where penalties), and hopefully at least two or three years of someone else to win the league! My hope is for stuttgart and Dortmund to win one league title each over the coming years

[@SeriousBartYT]

Which team do you support?

[@xennialnick]

Go Schalke!! Oh wait...

[@SeriousBartYT]

@@xennialnick Where do you want them to go?

[@RoniBliss]

Yeah good point it will make the German league less of the most boring predictable league on earth with them finishing mid table

[@YaelBewford]

​@@RoniBlissmost boring and PREDICTABLE 🤔PL the last 10 years: City winning the league. Spain the last 10 years: all the time real and one time Barcelona. France?? ONLY psg. But yeaaah Bundesliga is sooo predictable

[@alexd9134]

I believe Kompany is enough of a departure from the stereotypical 'no name player but tactical genius' trope we kept employing as coaches while steadily decling over the past 2-3 years that he might just be what the players need, especially since talent was never their problem but mentality - as in keeping concentration high in domestic matches - definitely was. And a 1.90m believable and intimidating former man city captain sounds like an experiment worth a try over someone like rangnick and flick who I was both particularly dreading. I feel we might just have stumbled into something here

[@franklingoodwin]

Because he worked under Pep is the reason. It's not for CV as a manager. People will say Arsenal did the same thing with Arteta, but the big difference is Arteta is a former Arsenal player so already knew how the club operated. Kompany is just being thrown in at the deep end. It's sink or swim.

[@MrGts92]

Arsenal completely changed the way they operated after Arteta was hired. That was the whole point.

[@zenmonk5403]

Was sink or swim for everybody else too. It's only about results and knowing 'how the club operates' gets you nothing. You can ask Kahn and Brazzo.

[@thejoulesthief6841]

Arteta was also one of the top choices for Arsenal being a former captain right from Emery's sacking. Kompany wasn't on Bayern's radar until being rejected by everyone.

[@Chris-pz8eu]

@@thejoulesthief6841I don’t think that matters. All that matters is can he coach and man manager. I think he’ll do good

[@Freestyle80]

big difference is Arsenal before Arteta was out of CL for 4 years, Bayern IS NOT STRUGGLING

[@stu8758]

He was the first one to say yes

[@DC-uf6ve]

I'm annoyed because I was next on the list after Kompany.

[@shaqtaku]

At this point, if you were within 10 meters of Pep you will likely receive a job offer

[@sams7751]

Nice insight from Andy

[@abdiarsenal196]

With a good squad of players his playing style isn’t that bad I remember a game burnley dominated united at home and lost 1-0 that Bruno goal was worthy of a winner besides that Kompany is good young manager very talented not even surprised with this appointment

[@tyronevaldez-kruger5313]

Yup. Everyone act is if ppl in Bayern's front office have lost their minds. We will find out

[@JR-sj1jz]

Is the premier league going through a Bill Belichick-Patriots phase? For those with an idea about the NFL, the Patriots were for about 2 or so decades one of the best run and most successful teams. Or is the correct American phrase franchise? Anyway, because they had so much success with what was called the Patriot way, teams kept hiring Bill's assistants in the hope of duplicating that success. Or signing former Patriot players. But none of these coaches ever came close to having the same impact for various reasons (or maybe one big reason called Tom Brady). The poster child of this being long time assistanr Josh Mcdaniels. Time will tell but as great as Pep is, there is only one of him. And some teams might learn this the hard way

[@thejoulesthief6841]

Yes and no. Belichick's assistants were usually hired and fired pretty quickly since most of them were/are quite bad. At the very least, Arteta & Enrique are success stories which is more than ANY Belichick coach.

[@seemourbutts6679]

No not all and NFL is gay. If arteta didn’t play for Arsenal he might not have even got the job. Bayern can’t find a manager, kompany has proven that he can coach an attractive style of football that wins most games when he has the better players on the pitch like he did in the championship and like he will in Germany but what he didn’t have this year in the premier league. The fact he was a top player and a highly respected leader and captain means he will automatically get the by in of the players which the new manager problem wouldn’t get if he was a Kieran McKenna up and coming unknown type

[@kvu8843]

Belichick has a defensive background, Pep is a revolutionary offensive coach. Pep's pipeline are more progressive coaches which would be comparable to Shanahan/McVay in NFL. Belichick's disciples are more defensive or Saban, whos in college level and also built organizational advantage. Organizational success would be more akin to Real Madrid or Bayern, which mostly succeed with a variety of coaches - Mourinho, Zidane, Ancelotti or Heynckes and Flick

[@JR-sj1jz]

@kvu8843 Luis Enrique is older than Pep. How can be part of Pep's pipeline? And Xabi Alonso played for Ancelloti, Mourinho and Rafa Benitez amongst others. We are really stretching things here calling these two part of Pep's pipeline.

[@JR-sj1jz]

@thejoulesthief6841 when did Pep mentor Luis Enrique, who by the way is older than Pep? And with all due respect to Arteta, he is yet to win the same titles as Pep. And ultimately that's why Pep has been called the greatest because beyond just.playing well, he has won titles.

[@MrVk33]

I love an under dog Story

[@RaphaelJayAdjani]

could Kompany be seen as a one season stop gap until another target is free?

[@RaphaelJayAdjani]

given the need for a rebuild - could rang nick come in after the World Cup to support director of football?

[@Hyde_Hill]

Any chance of a video on the cup final?

[@Veaseify]

I mean obviously it's mostly about all the people that said no but with Bayern in particular there is a dressing room culture where the players look at coaches with no playing record and tune them out because they have no respect. Kompany at least, will be treated as an equal on that front and if he can actually coach as well then there's a chance he will be successful.

[@DC-uf6ve]

Can't wait to watch this all unravel. Kompany is a Dunning-Kruger car crash in the making. Was a shambles at Burnley and seemed oh so pleased with himself throughout despite getting beat heavily every week. Bizarre appointment.

[@YaelBewford]

So you really wanted him to go all out and admit on camera that Burnley doesn't have money for transfers and that we suck e😂 Show us please Ancelotti s record with Everton.

[@DC-uf6ve]

@@YaelBewford nothing to do with money, he was a really bad manager.

[@BigDome1]

They're hiring him as a dispensable, cheap stopgap until they can get who they really want (probably Alonso or Klopp.)

[@gileshouliston7282]

I guess the people who he has worked with. I’d also say it’s a free hit & plenty of contracts are up next year

[@lowersaxon]

As a German not affiliated to any club football fan I have to say that Mr. Stafford-Bloor nailed it. Enjoyed the discussion. I personally think the decision for V. Kompany was the right decision for Bayern Munich.

[@DC-uf6ve]

I think you'll change your mind very quickly.

[@edmann1820]

I have a problem with it because it's unearned. One of the great clubs in world football just hired a guy who just got relegated with another team. It's purely based on reputation.

[@k4yser]

*a team he promoted the year before into a league which is completely disconnected in terms of budget from the league he came from and therefore makes it very difficult for promoted teams not to relegate straight away.

[@TheSiafuColony]

Harry Kane must be pissed!😂😂😂

[@planetebeautecali4485]

It's simple, his philosophy, how Burnley got promoted and Pep's influence.

[@DIN_A8]

He is a placeholder for Pep, mark my words. The official story is Bayern had talks with Pep, about who could do the job… so far i haven‘t heard they talked to Flick, Ancelotti or van Gaal for advice, Flick wanted, but they didn‘t even wanted to talk to him. Pep loves Munich, still has his House/Flat there.. a little suspicious for me. The Barcelona Job will be his Magnus Opus before his retirement. Don‘t see him coaching a other PL or La Liga Club, Italy/France/Netherlands i don‘t think so. Bayern can realize his wishes financially. Maybe PSG..

[@nettlarry]

He got the job, because they want to overhaul the squad. Five or six starters are supposed to go and be replaced by young, hungry talent. They want him to start a new era. That's what all candidates had in common: Develop young talent. And he's actually the 2nd or 3rd choice since he got contacted months ago.

[@gileshouliston7282]

A guess the ethos. But also a free hit and their are plenty of good managers wholes contract will end next year

[@eruditefisherman]

I feel like too many of the original options said no to the extent that bayern literally had to pick the manage on the team who could speak german

[@xennialnick]

I like how Kompany dresses. That is all.

[@terry3252]

I think this was hire to simply fill in until Klopp decides to take the position.

[@adamadam-xb9ig]

😮😮😮

[@donsolis12]

If Arteta can be given Arsenal his first managerial job, then Company going to Bayern shouldn't be a shock to anyone! He's more deserving of that appointment than Arteta EVER was.

[@xty070]

Why is he more deserving than Arteta ?

[@donsolis12]

@@xty070 Pretty easy question to answer really. Company had experience bringing a club up from the championship (the most difficult thing to do in English football). Arteta never had ANY managerial experience before joining Arsenal.

[@YaelBewford]

​@@xty070Yeaah how... Maybe because he was captain of City and had won a PL?? With his goal??? Arteta was what? He was always a no name player mate,be honest...

[@crayontom9687]

It’s probably easier to list the managers they didn’t try to appoint. Embarrassing

[@gregorio5543]

As a neutral I have to admit Bayern are on fire and are going completely nuts for not winning one league. I feel Naiglesmen being let go was a mistake and hiring Kompany a year later because they lost the league was probably a worse one

[@FullHouse-ir2ox]

Was Erik Ten Hag not in the shortlist for Bayern's coach?

[@Lewis1995]

No

[@hanli5416]

Actually i think he was 6th or 7th choice and he said he was not interested at that point of time

[@SeriousBartYT]

​@@hanli5416 He wanted to stay in Manchester.

[@Wulfryk]

Theyre trying to keep the Bundesliga competitive ofcourse

[@andrewbeecroft6509]

Because everyone else said no?

[@gourami7]

Surely he didn't bring the goalkeeper coach with him from Burnley

[@The1993luffy]

Look, let's not pretend like Company wasn't a panic decision. People that followed the whole story know how embarrassing this Search for a new Coach was. Every Day Bayern were becoming more and more embarrassed by the situation. The Image of Bayern was degrading from the ridicule. I obviously am not in the Bayern Boardroom, but I would bet the at some point, they just wanted it to stop. So the went with (probably) the 15th name on the list

[@rockpie1238]

TLDR: Kompany needs to turn Bayern Munich into Buy-In Munich

[@charlesingram9471]

Bet Harry Kane is regretting his move now.

[@_trent66]

Where's rafa?

[@AMAZING-bi6ib]

when klop is free he will be sacked

[@richardpizzario3627]

What are bayern thinking at this point

[@DarthQueefious]

When he had comparatively decent players to the league he was in his style worked really well. Bayern have those players, and he has the stature in the game to gain buy-in. It is gonna be a tightrope tho. If things go bad his lack of elite level management will immediately be highlighted, and it will be easy for Bayern to sack him.

[@AidanOKeeffe-xb8jv]

Anyone else not seeing the podcasts on Apple podcasts anymore?

[@jontalbot1]

Main reason they appointed him is they can’t get anyone better

[@ahmeddobrev4475]

Why haven't they oy out any content on Manchester United beating City and Ten hag getting right, with his future in doubt??? First time they've actually disappointed.

[@jimmytalking]

Wah

[@christopherflux6254]

He could be a brilliant Bayern manager, but one Championship title win with Burnley shouldn’t be enough to get you the Bayern job.

[@nonnayoubuzinnes1669]

It makes absolutely no sense at all. Could you imagine any other big club hiring him? No. He lost 24 games last season, -37 GD, finished below Luton despite easily winning the championship the previous year. Bayern could have re-hired Flick. There must be something rotten going on behind the scenes, if you didn't know better you'd think there was some kind of sabotage going on.

[@sudeeppednekar8355]

Because they were feeling lonely

[@heinwinlwin1654]

why does the thumbnail look like he's baked

[@BigtiggerP]

LOL!

[@BillyBonneyBoy]

kompany didn't struggle vs the big teams in the prem he struggled vs everyone except the other relegated teams, he got smashed every week even against the mediocre

[@davidlasoff8261]

Kompany is a cardboard stand-in easy to let go or hold onto until...wait for it...(drum roll)...Klopp has rested enough to not be able to refuse Bayern's irresistible offer.

[@TheKrostiman]

Real answer is that the ran out of big name options and just gambled on a name. Bayern is being run quite badly currently.

[@bobbastian760]

Shoulda kept Tucel

[@MikeTyson-ff1xe]

Did worse than Luton Town and got relegated, but got promoted. Talk about failing upward

[@DirtySanchez658]

Because he speaks German. Deutsch sprechen is a deal breaker and even Pep and Ancelotti had to do it.

[@ph8077]

36 minutes....that's a long time just to say "Absolutely no idea...WTF are they doing?!"

[@thomism1016]

Burnley to Bayern. I GIVE HIM A WEEK 🤓🤓🤓

[@gabereber5848]

They just want somebody who won’t cause too much of a fuss lol

[@davepannekoek1562]

Bayern are hoping they can convince Jurgen Klopp to be there manager - look for the rumours about 4 months into next season..... There is no conceivable reason to take such an unproven Manager to a club like Bayern, so I reckon my conspiracy theory has some merit!

[@pritapp788]

The Tuchel joke was not big enough, they needed to make an even bigger farce of themselves. Bayern Munich picking all of the Premier League's rejects.

[@mrdyasi]

Was Mourinho unavailable?

[@nikkinitinegara7589]

Even though he is available, his unpredictable and volatile leadership approach may not align well with our squad dynamic.

[@aymen6092]

Another trophyless season for Bayern lovely

[@bobbastian760]

He's the equivalent of a ten to two bird in a nightclub that you try to convince your mates you were always into and has many redeeming qualities despite her appearance after the fact 🤡

[@hughmungus_698]

its 2024..why are the Athletic still doing podcasts via zoom? get in a studio around a table together and have a discussion gents, completely lose any interest when its done in this format now Zzz

[@apricotking]

This is the podcast channel. They have studio content on The Athletic FC channel

[@shishsuke]

Okay boomer lmao

[@kicka11]

Harry Kane, 5th place next season.

[@Jole30]

He is a fallguy and everyone knows it. Next year, Alonso

[@pmacca4830]

Keeping the seat warm till Klopp ends his year off...Be funny seeing Bellamy coaching that team

[@nonnayoubuzinnes1669]

I think that's what they're hoping but Klopp won't go there, he has said he won't manage a club again and he's slagged Bayern off a few times in the past. There's obviously something rotten going on behind the scenes.

[@SeriousBartYT]

​@@nonnayoubuzinnes1669 It is likely that Xabi could move to Bayern after his second season at Leverkusen.

[@juz882010]

they hire alot of kids huh

[@MegaTimtheman]

If I was Harry kane I'd be speaking to my agent

[@kvu8843]

well he couldnt win with Tuchel, gotta take a look again at himself and the team.

[@MegaTimtheman]

@@kvu8843 he did his job, he scored 40 goals

[@Apolita1987]

This makes no sense whatsoever. There are like 50 guys in European football with a similar record and style of football. The one thing Kompany has over them is that in any team in the world, he is the most accomplished player in the dressing room. Except that Bayern Munich is one of like three teams total where that's not the case.

[@JohnDoe-tv4zf]

DiVeRsItY equity and inclusion

[@manchesterisblue1023]

who's the Liverpool fan kid, why would I listen to anything this anti city kid says

[@williamsamuel7085]

Because he relegated a team

[@user-qz8gy8jm5b]

Southgate?

[@tabokaluwa7919]

Do you honestly think we don't know why? How dumb do you think fans are?

[@RFerreira2009]

No real experience as a coach in a top team, has to rebuild the squad, will be going up against super Leverkusen next season... I give him 3 months and he will be sacked.

[@andrewcolclough4163]

Doesnt rebuild the squad himself, the sport director takes a big load of that.

[@YaelBewford]

Yes yes super Leverkusen 😂😂 They literally didn't have LUCK one time this season and Atalanta smashed them...

[@YaelBewford]

90% of their points were goals jn the 99nth minute... This is luck,not " determination". If you re that determined to win,you kill the game early. Not in the stoppage time.

[@garethdeere4822]

Desperation

[@BKKLB]

I think they've ended up with Company because Bayern's cut throat politics over the past few years have damaged their prospects. Unless you are Pep Guardiola, anyone who has managed at Bayern has left the club with their reputation damaged. Hansi Flick led Bayern through a remarkable season of accomplishments and still saw reputational damage to his credentials when his contract with Bayern was terminated.

[@Alex-ds6sw]

Wrong, Hansi Flick saw reputational damage after being the first ever coach of Germany to be sacked due to having the second fewest points per game of any coach of the Geman national team ever.

[@David_Smith]

I'm tired of this Vincent talk , I want to see quality signings at the club and get rid of the overpaid dead weight players.

[@thesampsoninstitute]

He is a terrible appointment, and he does not have the job on merit.

[@joelroman-mk5le]

Is that a 12 year old child?

[@YaelBewford]

😂😅

[@Xavyer13]

Failing upwards ftw

[@matthewwoodward8805]

Who the f#*k is that guy? Looks like he went back to his Minecraft creative mode straight after

[@kvu8843]

which one?? they all looks odd

[@_7.8.6]

Laughable