Kompany Improving After Collapse but No Return Date Yet, Says Assistant Coach
Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany is improving following his collapse in training last week,
but there is still no date set for his return to work, assistant coach Aaron Danks said on Tuesday.
The 40-year-old Belgian was rushed to hospital on Friday after collapsing during a reserve-team training
session at the club’s training ground. He had been battling a virus in the preceding days and had already
missed some training sessions before the incident.
Club officials have indicated he is expected to be sidelined for weeks rather than days.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Bayern’s German Cup second-round match against Magdeburg
on Wednesday, Danks provided an update after visiting Kompany.
“I paid him a short visit yesterday,” Danks said. “He is in good spirits. It looks like every day he is getting
better. There are no major updates in terms of diagnosis or return to work. Let him rest, let him take his
time.”
Danks added that their conversation deliberately avoided football and tactics. “We had some good
conversations (with Kompany) but kept it away from football and specific tactics. It was just a friendly
chat and nice to see him and catch up.”
Bayern face a demanding schedule in the coming days, with the cup tie against Magdeburg followed by
the Bundesliga Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday and a Champions League trip to face
Atlético Madrid next week. Danks is overseeing the team in Kompany’s absence.
The health scare has come amid a rollercoaster period for the squad, which also celebrated Harry Kane’s
Ballon d’Or victory on Monday.
Kane revealed that Kompany had called him early on Monday morning to wish him well ahead of the
ceremony.
Sporting director Max Eberl had earlier emphasised that Kompany would be given all the time he needs
to recover fully.
