Vincent Kompany named best Belgian coach of 2025

Vincent Kompany has won the Raymond Goethals Trophy, awarded each year to the best Belgian football coach. The announcement was made on Monday at an event in Grimbergen.

Kompany, head coach of Bayern Munich, finished ahead of Nicky Hayen and Sébastien Pocognoli, who shared second place. It is Kompany’s first time winning the award. Hayen took the prize last year.

The former Belgium captain won the Bundesliga in his first season with Bayern and has had an outstanding campaign, with only one defeat so far across all competitions. On Sunday, he was also named Coach of the Year at Belgium’s Sports Gala.

Sébastien Pocognoli led Union Saint-Gilloise to their first league title in 90 years before moving to Monaco in October. Nicky Hayen guided Club Brugge to Belgian Cup success and the last 16 of the Champions League, but was recently sacked after a run of poor results.

The Raymond Goethals Trophy honours a Belgian coach whose style reflects that of the late Raymond Goethals, the legendary former manager of Anderlecht, Standard Liège and the Belgium national team. The winner is chosen by a jury of former national team coaches, past winners, referees and football experts.

^{Bayern Munich's head coach Vincent Kompany © BELGA PHOTO BRUNO FAHY}