Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany says sporting directors Max Eberl and Christoph Freund are central to the positive working environment at the club as the champions prepare to host Stuttgart in their first Bundesliga home match of the new season on 28 August.
Kompany also confirmed that Jamal Musiala will miss the game despite completing a full training session with the team. The midfielder is in the advanced stages of his medical treatment and is responding well, but has not yet been included in the squad.
“He is currently in the advanced stage of medical treatment, and his body is responding well,” said Kompany. “After this, he can return to the squad and participate in matches normally.”
The Bayern manager added that all decisions concerning Musiala’s recovery were being taken in consultation with the club’s medical experts.
“He completed a full training session with the team today, but he will not be in the match squad for tomorrow’s game against Stuttgart,” Kompany said. “All current medical decisions are made in consultation with our team of medical experts, and his recovery is currently progressing well.”
Kompany guided Bayern Munich to a strong campaign last season but insisted that previous achievements would have no bearing on the new Bundesliga title race.
“The feeling is exactly the same as when I first started coaching,” he said. “I always firmly believe that in the end, we will definitely achieve success. But at the same time, I also know that nothing is set in stone in football; everything starts from scratch.”
The Belgian said past championships had effectively been reset and that he viewed the need to prove himself again as a source of motivation rather than pressure.
“In my mind, all past championships are reset to zero, and I must prove myself anew,” he said. “For me, this is not pressure but a powerful motivation, from which I draw a lot of energy.”
He expects Stuttgart to provide a demanding opening home fixture and stressed that Bayern must continue to improve the details of their preparation.
“Tomorrow’s match against Stuttgart will undoubtedly be tough,” Kompany said. “A new season means new opportunities. We must meticulously refine our pre-season preparations down to every detail. I am incredibly excited for the new season to begin.”
Kompany refused to predict where Bayern, Borussia Dortmund or Stuttgart would finish, arguing that the title race would be shaped by more than the results between the leading contenders.
“The allocation of first, second, third, and fourth place is not for me to decide in advance,” he said. “My only wish is for the team to continue its strong performance from last season and strive for even greater improvement.”
He added that Borussia Dortmund remained a strong team and suggested Stuttgart could maintain the form they showed last season. The battle for the championship, he said, would also depend on how consistently clubs collected points against other opponents.
“I cannot predict the final outcome right now,” Kompany said. “But based on the information I have, Borussia Dortmund will continue to perform consistently, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Stuttgart maintains their form.”
The manager was similarly positive when discussing Eberl and Freund, although he said he would not routinely comment publicly on contract extensions involving Bayern Munich’s senior management.
“Throughout the season, I won’t publicly comment much on the contract extensions of my senior management, whether it’s Freund or Eberl,” he said. “However, regarding our collaboration, I have always been open and honest.”
Kompany acknowledged that Eberl had experienced difficult periods, while he too had faced challenges during his time at Bayern Munich. Their response, he said, had been to focus on the work and support one another.
“Eberl has gone through difficult times, and I have also encountered challenges,” he said. “In such moments, we put aside distractions and fully dedicate ourselves to our work. When support is needed, we are honest with each other and mutually supportive.”
He believes that kind of relationship is vital for a head coach and credited both Eberl and Freund with helping to create the conditions in which he can work effectively.
“I have always said that the working environment is crucial for a head coach,” Kompany said. “I am very fortunate that Bayern Munich provides an exceptionally good working environment for me, and this positive atmosphere is thanks to both Eberl and Freund.”
Kompany added that Bayern Munich had to use difficult moments as opportunities to develop rather than simply defend their position.
“When we face difficulties, we don’t just passively defend,” he said. “Instead, we learn from them, find ways to break through, and make the team stronger. Any organization with this capability will become increasingly powerful.”
He concluded that football would inevitably bring setbacks, but said he felt fortunate to be working in such an environment at Bayern Munich.
