Bayern Munich sign Vincent Kompany as new coach on three-year contract
Vincent Kompany has been confirmed as Bayern Munich's new manager. The club agreed a compensation package of about 10.5 million euros with Kompany's club, Burnley, and the former Belgium international has signed a three-year contract with Bayern.
There had already been extensive negotiations between Bayern and Kompany in recent weeks, but the deal has now officially been completed. Kompany becomes the first Belgian to coach one of Europe's top clubs this century.
Bayern had been on the lookout for a new coach for months, ever since it became clear that German Thomas Tuchel would be leaving at the end of the season after 19 underwhelming months that featured major losses in the Bundesliga, the German Cup and the Champions League.
Xabi Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann and Ralf Rangnick were touted as replacements, and an extended stay for Tuchel was even on the table, but the club were unable to find a solution.
Promotion and relegation
Kompany has now been brought in to steady the ship and turn Bayern's fortunes around. The Belgian, who played for Anderlecht, Hamburger SV and Manchester City, started his coaching career at Anderlecht. In 2022, he moved to England as manager of Burnley, who he led to the Championship title and promotion in his first season. He was unable to keep Burnley in the Premier League, however, and they were relegated in May after just one season in the top flight.
"It's a great honour to be able to work for this club - FC Bayern is an institution in international football," Kompany said in a statement on the club's website. "As a coach, you have to stand for who you are as a person: I love having the ball, being creative - and we also have to be aggressive on the pitch and courageous. I'm now looking forward to the most basic things: working with the players, building a team. When the foundation is in place, success will follow."
Vincent Kompany during a friendly between KRC Genk and Burnley © BELGA PHOTO JOHAN EYCKENS