The Bayern head coach is reported to have collapsed after Friday’s session while unwell with a viral infection and a hip injury. Bayern have not confirmed the collapse or his condition.
Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany was taken to a hospital in Munich by ambulance from the club’s training ground on Friday, according to German reports. Sky Sports Germany says he collapsed after the session, two days before Sunday’s Bundesliga match at Freiburg. BILD reports that a rescue helicopter also landed at the training ground. Kompany, 40, has been unwell with a viral infection, which is said to have caused problems with old scar tissue. Bayern have not publicly confirmed the reported collapse, its cause or his condition.
What has been reported
BILD and Sky Sports Germany are the sources for the collapse and the transfer to hospital. It is not known whether he lost consciousness, whether he was admitted or discharged, or why a helicopter was sent. Nor is it known whether the viral infection caused the incident, or whether Bayern have ruled him out of the Freiburg game. There has been no reported diagnosis, and nothing in the available material supports linking the episode to any specific medical condition.
The infection was reported to have left him in pain and struggling to climb stairs. It was the talk of the build-up to Wednesday’s Champions League game against Arsenal. He missed training sessions and a press conference beforehand, but was on the touchline for the 2-2 draw.
A run of health problems
According to German reporting cited in the research notes, the problems began earlier. Sporting director Max Eberl said after Bayern’s 6-1 win over RB Leipzig on 17 October that Kompany also had a separate hip injury, not only the virus. Sky Sport Germany reported that he needed help climbing stairs at the Allianz Arena. BILD reported that he lay down to rest in his changing room at half-time and after that match. He did not do interviews afterwards.
Assistants Aaron Danks and Rene Maric directed the team from the touchline against Leipzig, while Kompany largely stayed seated. BILD reports he was examined by Bayern’s medical team on Monday 19 October, and BR24 says he stayed at home in bed on Tuesday. SPORT BILD reports he returned for a 45-minute session on Wednesday morning. BILD also reported that team doctor Professor Roland Schmidt gave him a tablet and a bottle of water in the third minute against Arsenal. The medication has not been identified.
After the Arsenal draw, Kompany said: “As a coach, you always want to do everything and accomplish everything. I caught a pretty nasty virus last week, and of course I didn’t listen to my body, and then at some point my body said: ‘Stop now!’”
On Tuesday, Danks said: “It has affected his legs, yes. He has had pain in his legs. The most important thing for him now is to rest and I don’t know if he will be ready tomorrow or in two or three days’ time.”
He added: “Getting him to rest is hard. He’s a leader. But it’s a virus and it’s really important that he rests.”
Bayern’s fixtures and squad
Bayern are top of the Bundesliga with four wins and two draws from their first six matches. In the Champions League league phase they are 14th after a win and two draws. They play at Freiburg on Sunday at 5.30pm German time (4.30pm UK), then host 1. FC Magdeburg in the second round of the German Cup on Wednesday 28 October. Bayern confirmed on 22 October that Luis Diaz has a minor tear in his left hamstring after the Arsenal game and is out, with no return date given.
Kompany moved to Munich in 2024 and has won two Bundesliga titles, with England captain Harry Kane as his star player. The Belgian captained Manchester City during some of their most successful years under Pep Guardiola, winning four Premier League titles, though he was regularly sidelined by injuries. He has three children with his wife, Carla, whom he met in Manchester.
