Bayern Munich has appointed Vincent Kompany as their new head coach, finalizing a compensation deal of approximately £10 million with Burnley.
Kompany, who has signed a three-year contract with Bayern, was chosen after the club’s unsuccessful attempts to retain Thomas Tuchel for another season. Other candidates like Xabi Alonso, former coach Julian Nagelsmann, and Austria’s coach Ralf Rangnick had declined the position.
Kompany brings Bundesliga experience from his playing days at Hamburg and speaks fluent German. His appointment is seen as a bold move, especially after Burnley’s recent relegation from the Premier League. Despite this, Kompany had a remarkable first season at Turf Moor, leading Burnley to win the Championship with 101 points, though they struggled in the Premier League, securing only five victories.
“It’s a great honor to be able to work for this club,” said Kompany. “FC Bayern is a cornerstone of international football. As a coach, you need to reflect your personal values: I love possession-based play, creativity, and being aggressive and brave on the pitch. I’m excited about the fundamentals: working with the players and building a team. Success will follow once the foundation is solid.”
Bayern’s sporting director, Christoph Freund, added: “Vincent Kompany is a coach who aligns perfectly with FC Bayern’s philosophy and identity. His teams aim for ball possession, dominance, and high-intensity football. He’s a young, ambitious coach with substantial international experience, a strong connection with players, and a clear vision for the pitch. He will significantly enhance our team.”
Burnley is now seeking a new manager to guide them back into the Premier League. In their statement confirming Kompany’s departure, the club noted: “While we initially believed we could retain our manager, the evolving situation made this untenable. We understand the prestige of Bayern Munich and respect Vincent’s ambition to pursue new opportunities. Our search for a new manager has begun, and we will announce a replacement in due course.”
