Tag: Vincent Kompany

Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany has named DR Congo as his preferred winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, citing personal heritage as the basis for his support.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Kompany explained that his connection to DR Congo stems from his father’s roots and humanitarian investments in the country.

The Belgian coach also emphasised Bayern Munich’s support for players representing their nations at AFCON, stressing the competition’s importance for African footballers.

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Kompany confirmed that Senegal forward Nicolas Jackson would link up with his national team after Bayern’s Bundesliga fixture against Mainz, expressing hope that the striker enjoys a successful tournament.

He further praised Jackson’s professionalism and impact at club level despite stiff competition for places, highlighting his efficiency and contribution whenever called upon.

Vincent Kompany has extended his contract as coach of Bayern Munich by two years until 2029, according to the  Bundesliga champions.

Kompany was not Bayern’s first choice when he was appointed in the summer of 2024, but the Belgian reclaimed the German title for the Bavarians in his debut season at the club.

“It feels like I’ve been here a lot longer and that I know the club well,” former Manchester City captain Kompany said in a statement.“It’s been a great experience so far. We’ve started on a wonderful journey. Let’s keep working hard and celebrate much more success!”

At a press conference later on Tuesday ahead of Bayern’s Champions League home match against Club Brugge a day later, Kompany said he was “busy preparing for the games” when Bayern bosses approached him about an extension.

“When the proposal came up, and my only request was that it doesn’t become a big topic and that we could quickly refocus on the next game.

“Personally, everything just feels right in Munich… There aren’t many places better than Bayern.”

Bayern defender Jonathan Tah told reporters: “we’re all delighted about the contract extension.”

The 39-year-old coach has Bayern flying with 11 wins in 11 games this season, sitting atop the Champions League and Bundesliga tables.

“Vincent Kompany has brought the fun back to FC Bayern –- and the spark has really caught on. Under his leadership, a real team has grown that plays dominant and attractive football,” Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said.

“I like Vincent’s level-headedness. He never pushes himself into the limelight and makes our players better with his meticulous work.”

Kompany’s appointment came as a surprise when Bayern paid a £10 million ($13 million) to release him from his contract with Burnley in 2024.

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“When we appointed Vinny, we had a clear vision of our shared path and he quickly proved that he would help FC Bayern move forward -– both on and off the pitch,” said Max Eberl, the club’s sporting director.

 “He’s a role model who unites players, fans and everyone at the club, and we want to build something long-term with him.”

Under Kompany, Burnley won promotion to the Premier League but were relegated after just one season, recording the lowest top-flight points tally in their history.

Despite winning 12 of the previous 13 Bundesliga titles, stability in the Bayern dugout has been rare during that run.

Pep Guardiola, whose three-year stint at the club ended in 2016, was the last Bayern coach to complete at least two full seasons.

Before bringing Kompany to the club, Bayern reportedly tried to sign Xabi Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann, Oliver Glasner and Ralf Rangnick but were knocked back by each candidate.

When an attempt to hold on to then coach Thomas Tuchel, who had already agreed to leave at the end of the season, was also rebuffed, Bayern turned to Kompany.

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany hopes to have the solutions to lead his team to victory over Bayer Leverkusen in their Champions League last 16 first leg today for a first win in four attempts against their Bundesliga rivals this season.

Kompany said on Tuesday a lot would ride on details between two strong teams, with Bayern having drawn twice against the reigning champions in the league while losing to Xabi Alonso’s team in the German Cup.

“Neither I, nor Xabi Alonso can influence the ball. Both teams have a lot of individual quality that will influence the game,” Kompany told a press conference on Tuesday. “You can plan as much as you want for these games but it is then the players who will have to do it.”

Bayern have not beaten Leverkusen in six games under Alonso, including in three attempts this season.

“Each of the three games was different stories,” Kompany said. “But all of them were played at the very limit.”

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Alonso’s team completely dominated their most recent encounter on February 15 but could not get past a goalless draw. Bayern are top of the Bundesliga standings with an eight-point lead over second-placed Leverkusen.

“We don’t go into the game to do a bit less this week and a bit more next week,” Kompany said of their two-legged Champions League tie.

“We hope as a team to have solutions for the qualities of Leverkusen and tomorrow, not only as a team but also individually to deliver the best performance.

“(The two legs) definitely play a role. We know it is not about all or nothing tomorrow. There are two matches but still we play at home and that means sometimes something special can happen.”

TODAY’S ROUND OF 16 TIES

Feyenoord vs. Inter Milan

Bayern vs. Leverkusen

Benfica vs. Barcelona

PSG vs. Liverpool

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany said he believes Harry Kane will be fit to face Celtic today, after the striker missed training ahead of the Champions League game.

German media reported Kane picked up a knock in Saturday’s hard-fought 0-0 draw at Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.

Kompany admitted he could not give a definite answer to whether Kane would play, but said a decision would be made of the game in Munich today.

”(It’s) definitely nothing bad. We’ve just had very little time to recover and sometimes you need an extra day,” Kompany told reporters.

Bayern were uncharacteristically defensive against Leverkusen, with Kane and other attackers dropping back to help the visitors keep a clean sheet which maintained their eight-point lead at the top of the table.

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 “We’ll see early tomorrow how he feels, but I assume it’s nothing too bad – we’ve just got very little time to refresh and recover,” said Kompany. “We’ll see tomorrow.”

Against Leverkusen, Kane needed treatment before half-time after his head collided with Piero Hincapie’s shoulder.

Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers on Monday backed the England captain to play.

 “It doesn’t change anything – we need to win the game. If Harry didn’t play, that’s a big miss for them, but I’m pretty sure there’s another world-class player to come in and play.”

Kane scored in the 2-1 victory at Celtic Park last week in the first leg of the knockout phase play-off tie, and Bayern have not lost at home in the Champions League since April 2021.

Kompany said Celtic were “always dangerous, but so are we. It’s a home game, we’ll look to make that play to our advantage.”

Bayern midfielder Jamal Musiala insisted the club had “no excuses” despite the short turnaround after Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash.

 “None of us want to have excuses. We’re using the days to prepare well for the game – then we have to give it our all. We’re fresh and will give it everything tomorrow,” said Musiala.

Rodgers admitted the gap between his club and the European elite had widened in recent decades, but called on his charges to “embrace” the challenge against the six-time winners.

 “At this level, you have to play without any fear. There’s worse things in life than losing a game of football, so we want to ensure at the end of the game we’ve given it absolutely everything.

 “We’re not favourites, but anything is possible.”

The standard of refereeing in the Premier League this season “hasn’t been good enough”, so said Burnley manager Vincent Kompany.

Kompany was shown a red card by referee Darren England during the 2-2 draw at Chelsea on Saturday for protesting against a penalty decision which led to defender Lorenz Assignon being sent off.

Six Burnley players have been sent off in 30 games this season, the most of any Premier League team.

Kompany said he is “not shying away” from giving feedback to officials and does not have “any issues with being fined”.

He said: “I’ve said it to the referees themselves – refereeing hasn’t been good enough this season.

“And I have said that in a constructive way, understanding as well the fact it’s not easy for them.

“The scrutiny is massive. The pressure is bigger than it’s ever been on the officials.

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“The addition of VAR and more opinions and more officials doesn’t make it easy for them to do their jobs.”

Burnley are second bottom of the table, four points from safety.

Assignon was shown a second yellow card shortly before half-time for fouling Mykhailo Mudryk, and Kompany was sent to the stands for his reaction.

Burnley twice came from behind against Chelsea, with Dara O’Shea scoring an 81st-minute equaliser to earn a point.

Kompany said that before this season he felt “common sense was always trying to be applied” by officials.

“You make a mistake and we all have a laugh about it and usually the traditional view is that it all evens itself out over the course of a season,” he said.

“This year I haven’t felt like this. Where we are in the league doesn’t really matter. I just want it to be right.”

Burnley host Wolves at Turf Moor today .