Vincent Kompany, the newly appointed Bayern Munich coach, exudes confidence ahead of his Bundesliga debut against Wolfsburg on Sunday. Despite overseeing Burnley’s relegation from the Premier League last season, the 38-year-old Belgian has been entrusted with the daunting task of restoring Bayern’s dominance in German football.
Bayern’s trophyless campaign last season, their first in 11 years, has cast a shadow over the club. Bayer Leverkusen’s impressive domestic double has raised the stakes for Kompany, who is determined to prove his worth.
Kompany, who previously coached Anderlecht and guided them to the 2022 Belgian Cup final, expressed satisfaction with Bayern’s preparations for the season opener. “I’m not nervous, but it’s a big challenge,” he said. “We’ve prepared well, and now it’s up to the players.”
Kompany acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by Leverkusen, who opened their campaign with a victory on Friday. “They were phenomenal last season,” he said. “We’ll need around 90 points for the title again, so we need maximum performance from everyone.”
The Belgian coach hinted at the potential debuts of Michael Olise and Joao Palhinha, who joined Bayern from Crystal Palace and Fulham, respectively. “There’s a good chance they’ll play a lot this season,” he said.
Wolfsburg, Bayern’s opponents on Sunday, have not defeated the Bavarian giants in 20 matches dating back to 2015. Kompany is aware of the challenge but remains optimistic. “We’re excited and ready to start the season,” he said.
