Bayern Munich Coach Vincent Kompany Taken to Hospital After Collapsing at Training Ground

Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany was taken to hospital on Friday after collapsing at the club training ground in Munich, Bayern said in a statement. The 40-year-old Belgian had led the first team session at the Säbener Strasse complex and then went to watch the club second team train, where he collapsed. Sky in Germany reported that his condition was stable.

"Vincent Kompany had to seek medical treatment on Friday after collapsing during training for FC Bayern's amateurs," the club said. "The first-team coach had been watching the second team's session. Kompany will undergo thorough examination in the hospital and remain in medical care. For the time being, his coaching staff will manage training and match operations."

Bild reported that a rescue helicopter was dispatched to the training ground at 3:54 p.m. local time, but Kompany traveled to a Munich hospital by ambulance with an emergency doctor, and the second team session was abandoned. The club gave no diagnosis and no date for his return.

Director of sport Max Eberl said the coach would get all the time he needs. "Vincent Kompany's health is our top priority," Eberl said. "We at FC Bayern will do everything we can to ensure he makes a speedy recovery. Vinnie is receiving all the necessary medical care and support, and all the time he needs. His coaching team, in whom we have complete confidence, will take over his duties. All of us at FC Bayern wish Vinnie a speedy recovery."

A week of coaching through illness

Kompany has been fighting a viral infection for more than a week, and he said so himself after the Arsenal game. He gave his halftime team talk sitting down during the 6-1 league win over RB Leipzig last weekend and skipped the post-match media duties. He missed training and media work at the start of this week, and an assistant said he had complained of pain in his legs. He also missed the pre-match press conference before the Champions League game against Arsenal, but he was back in the dugout on Wednesday for the 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena.

After that match he admitted he had pushed himself too far. "As a coach, you want to do everything and take care of everything," he said. "I got a hefty virus last week and, of course, didn't listen to my body. And then my body said at some point: please stop."

What happens next

Bayern travel to Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Sunday, and Kompany's coaching staff will prepare the team while he remains under medical care. The club has not said who will stand in on the bench, or how long he is expected to be away.

His former club Manchester City sent its best wishes on Friday evening. "Everyone at Manchester City is wishing a speedy recovery to our former captain and club legend, Vincent Kompany," the club posted on X. "Get well soon, Vinny."

Kompany was one of the defining defenders of his generation. He captained Manchester City, played more than 260 times for the club and won 89 caps for Belgium, before coaching Anderlecht in his home country and Burnley in England. Bayern appointed him head coach on May 29, 2024, and he led the club to the Bundesliga title in his first season, confirmed on May 4, 2025.