At his Bayern Munich unveiling, Vincent Kompany has immediately set his sights on lifting the Champions League in his new home stadium.
The Allianz Arena will host the 2025 Champions League final on May 31 and Kompany hopes his new side will help him get his hands on the trophy for the first time.
Despite a glittering playing career at Anderlecht, Hamburg and Man City, during which he won six league titles and six domestic cups, the 38-year-old’s only continental success came when Hamburg lifted the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2007.
Speaking at his first press conference after joining the Bundesliga giants from Burnley, Kompany said: “The goal for me is quite simple, I try to win every game and it doesn’t matter where you are, that is my main goal.
“The final is in Munich next year, the Champions League is becoming more important. We don’t reach that by just talking about it. We have to work and train hard and develop in every game.”
While his move to Bayern less than four years after beginning his coaching career and having overseen Burnley’s relegation from the Premier League has raised eyebrows in some quarters, Kompany hinted there were other big-name clubs interested in him and insisted he has always created a ‘big club’ environment wherever he has worked.
“I think the aspect of being surprised is because (people) assume Bayern is the only club that called and you only assume it because I am a private person. Maybe I was surprised by the first call but it wasn’t from Bayern Munich.
“”For me, I know whatever club you are at you have to be internally on the same (wavelength). You have to have that feeling. I felt that and that is why the opportunity was so appealing.”
“My mentality is I never didn’t work for a top club,” he added. ”The top club is the environment you create. It’s the work you do with your players and staff.
“The good and bad times define working at a top level. To be here already feels like home. I feel I am in a place where I can continue with this idea.”
💬 Kompany: “We want to win every game, always. That must always be our priority. Of course, the Champions League final is in Munich in 2025. But we won’t achieve that by talking about it, we’ll have to work hard for it every day in training.”#MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/HrWghq66Gt
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) May 30, 2024
The Belgian claimed his first impressions were very good, adding: “I know what a big club Bayern Munich is. I am very proud and very motivated to start. The season could start today.”
Kompany will take over a squad which includes his former Man City teammate Leroy Sane and Harry Kane, with whom he had many notable battles during the England striker’s time at Tottenham.
Bayern failed to win the Bundesliga for the first time in 12 years, finishing third, 18 points behind champions Leverkusen. They also suffered a shock early exit in the German Cup and went out of the Champions League in a dramatic semi-final.
Kompany said: “I think it is too early to discuss any individuals in the team right now. I am excited to work with every player.
“I am excited to find out how hungry every player is. Last year we lost. I know from my playing career this is when real winners come to life. I am excited to start. I am excited to see which players are hungry to win again.”
“(Sane and I) had an unbelievable time together. When I was at City I was a little bit more than a captain. I won’t be that different now. It is a talented team and he is a talented player. To make it really simple, my job is to try to get the most out of Sane and out of every player in the team.”
Kompany says his background growing up playing football in Belgium will influence Bayern’s style of play going forward.
“As a coach, you have to coach who you are as a person,” he said. “I grew up on the streets of Brussels… I want the players to be brave and have personality on the ball. I want the team to represent my character, to be brave and aggressive.”
💬 Kompany: “I’m extremely motivated every day and have the goal of making the lads better. What motivates me most are the times when things aren’t going well. Privately and professionally, that’s in my nature. Bayern is a great club, I want to take everyone with me on this… pic.twitter.com/jAb2yEzBPr
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) May 30, 2024
