Vincent Kompany has been taken to hospital after collapsing while watching Bayern Munich’s second-team training session, with the manager said to be in a stable condition.
The 40-year-old Belgian has been suffering from a viral infection which reportedly aggravated old scar tissue in his hip, leaving him in pain and struggling to stand or climb stairs.
Kompany had overseen Bayern’s first-team training earlier on Friday before going to watch the club’s reserves with their new coach, Dante. He collapsed around 20 minutes into the session, according to reports in Germany.
A rescue helicopter was reported to have landed at Bayern’s training ground, although Kompany was later taken to hospital by ambulance. The training session was abandoned, while those who witnessed the incident were said to have been deeply affected.
The reserve team’s match against DJK Vilzing on Saturday has also been called off.
Bayern said Kompany would undergo a thorough examination and remain under medical care. His coaching staff will take charge of training and match operations in the meantime.
Max Eberl, Bayern’s sporting director, said the manager’s health was the club’s “utmost priority” and that Kompany was receiving “all necessary medical care and support, as well as all the time he needs”.
Manchester City, where Kompany spent 11 years and captained the club to four Premier League titles, sent a message of support. The club said: “Everyone at Manchester City is wishing a speedy recovery to our former captain and Club legend, Vincent Kompany. Get well soon, Vinny.”
Kompany had warned he was struggling with a virus
Kompany missed training sessions and a press conference before Bayern’s Champions League match against Arsenal on Wednesday, but returned to the touchline for the 2-2 draw.
After the game, he said: “As a coach, you always want to do everything and accomplish everything. I caught a pretty nasty virus last week, and of course I didn’t listen to my body, and then at some point my body said, ‘Stop now!’”
His assistant Aaron Danks had previously said the illness had affected Kompany’s legs and caused pain. “The most important thing for him now is to rest and I don’t know if he will be ready tomorrow or in two or three days’ time,” Danks said.
“Getting him to rest is hard. He’s a leader. But it’s a virus and it’s really important that he rests.”
Kompany moved to Bayern in 2024 and has won two Bundesliga titles with the club. Bayern are currently top of the German league after four wins and two draws from their opening six matches.
