Max Eberl says that in appointing Vincent Kompany after a protracted manager search, Bayern Munich ‘saved the best for last.’
Bayern announced in February that Thomas Tuchel would be leaving the club at the end of the season, just 14 months after replacing Julian Nagelsmann in charge at the Allianz Arena.
Kompany becomes the eighth man to hold the top job at Bayern since his former manager Pep Guardiola left the club in June 2016 to take over at Man City, though it’s been reported that up to eight other coaches turned down the role before it was offered to him.
Xabi Alonso opted to remain at Leverkusen while Germany boss Nagelsmann and Hansi Flick, another former Bayern coach, turned down the opportunity to return.
Zinedine Zidane, Ralf Rangnick and even Tuchel could not be tempted to take the reins for next season while reported interest in Man United’s Erik ten Haag and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi came to nought.
🎙️ Eberl on Kompany’s strengths: “Vincent has everything except the experience of having worked at a top club so far. He has a great personality and his style of play suits FC Bayern perfectly: we want to be dominant, we want to have the ball. He also stands for that. We’re… pic.twitter.com/jjcUlPuknR
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) May 30, 2024
Bayern’s board member for sport Eberl told a press conference to present the new coach that the 38-year-old Belgian is ‘one of the most interesting coaches in Europe.’
“I’m very happy that it worked out with Vincent,” he said. “We’ve found one of the most interesting coaches in Europe.
“He’s a very young coach. We’re thinking straight away about the game, about the next steps. We’re looking forward to new energy, new drive and hopefully new successes.”
It’s been less than four years since Kompany hung up his boots and took charge at Anderlecht, switching to join Burnley in the Championship two years later.
Eberl said: “Vincent’s two years at Anderlecht were exceptional, he coached the youngest team in Europe there.
“Then he decided to move to England. They were promoted to the Premier League with a record 101 points and impressive football. That’s why he’s been on (our) list for a long time.
“In terms of experience, we’re now going down the path together with him. We had a long decision-making process when looking for a coach and I can say – ‘save the best for last.’”
Kompany’s footballing philosophy matches Bayern’s own, Eberl said, adding: “Vincent has everything except the experience of having worked at a top club so far.
“He has a great personality and his style of play suits FC Bayern perfectly: we want to be dominant, we want to have the ball. He also stands for that.
“We’re delighted to have this coach with us and to take the next steps with him.”
Welcome to #FCBayern, Vincent! 🔴⚪#MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/exNGizMIUG
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) May 30, 2024
Eberl said Bayern want to put an end to the revolving door of eight coaches in eight years, adding: “We’ve had a high turnover of coaches recently – we want to change that, the coach is a very important person at the club.
“We have a great opportunity to row back on a few things and become a unit again.
“We now have a young coach (with) a strong character, which has impressed us. We want to stand together as one. We will also go through troughs together and want to work together for a long time.”
