Max Eberl says Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has been discharged from hospital after medical tests identified irritation of the meninges as the cause of his recent collapse.
Kompany was taken to hospital by air ambulance after collapsing during the club’s second-team training session last Friday. Reports also said he dislocated his shoulder in the fall.
“His condition is very good, especially considering what he has been through,” Bayern sporting director Eberl told ARD before Wednesday’s German Cup match against Magdeburg, in comments reported by Spox. “He left hospital today, and that is the best news for all of us.”
Eberl said doctors had established the nature of Kompany’s illness.
“They found out what he is suffering from. It is irritation of the meninges, which caused what happened last Friday,” he said.
Kompany had been dealing with a viral infection before his collapse, which affected his ability to manage from the touchline during Bayern’s demanding match against RB Leipzig.
Although he returned to the bench for the game against Arsenal, the 39-year-old had previously cancelled a number of commitments, including press conferences and training sessions.
Eberl had said after the incident that Kompany could be absent for several weeks, and his departure from hospital has not changed the expected timeframe for his return to work.
“He can now continue his rehabilitation at home, which means resting and taking medication,” Eberl said. “I am very confident that he will soon return to the technical area fully fit.
“When the doctors say he is able to return, he will also say that he is ready. He will be given all the time he needs. From the start, we talked about an absence that could last for weeks.”
Eberl also rejected suggestions that Kompany’s condition was linked to the pressures of coaching, or to the virus he had previously contracted.
“Pressure and exhaustion are part of our work, but we must be careful when talking about Vinnie’s illness,” he said. “It is a medical condition that could affect any of us, and I would not wish it on anyone. But it is not connected to the pressures we face in the Bundesliga. This is an illness, and the two things must be clearly separated.
“Even the virus he had earlier was not the cause of this condition. The doctors confirmed that to me.”
Bayern have also been dealing with other serious events this season. Jamal Musiala has suffered fainting episodes and was reported to have epilepsy, while Joshua Kimmich has been absent since the unexpected death of his father before the Champions League match against Arsenal.
Eberl said: “Not many clubs have gone through circumstances like these. These are not minor matters; they go beyond football and remind us that the game comes second to what happens in life.
“It is a difficult period, but we can see how united this club is and how everyone is supporting one another.”
Kimmich’s availability for Saturday’s match against Borussia Dortmund remains uncertain.
“If Jo feels he wants to regain his peace of mind, so to speak, he will be welcome at any time,” Eberl said. “I hope that happens soon.”
