Season-Preparation - FC Bayern starts with Kompany - 'Feeling for the boys'
Vincent Kompany turned to a few Bayern stars at the beginning of his first training session - after a brief applause, it was time for Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka & Co. to focus on the next tasks. The new coach of the dethroned German football champions had the mini-kader sweating for the first time in preparation.
Kompany and the "Business Language"
The mini-squad, with only new signing Hiroki Ito present, gathered on the pitch 20 minutes before the official training start. Kompany, wearing a red hat in the overcast Munich sky, looked on. Later, he gave commands in both German and English, explaining them as "Business Language." He frequently used his whistle.
"We need to sense from the beginning that it's a new season and that the mentality is there right away," demanded Kompany in the club TV. "We must focus on getting back to the top again. The squad must have 100% focus and intensity to be successful again." This is also the goal of the bosses, who want more competition in the squad.
EM Participants to Join Later
The EM participants, including Harry Kane, who reached the final, will join later. All have three weeks of vacation. After the South Korea trip from July 31 to August 5, Kompany will have the entire squad.
Midfielder João Palhinha (FC Fulham) and winger Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) as additional signings are still not present. The Muncheners have paid around 125 million euros for the duo and Ito.
First Game Against 27:0 Opponent
"It's important for me to give the boys a feel," says the 38-year-old Kompany. Surrounded by his assistants, he posed for the obligatory photo. Almost as many trainers and caretakers in red T-shirts were on the pitch as pros in dark training clothing.
The Muncheners hired the Belgian as their successor to Thomas Tuchel in late May. They paid over ten million euros in transfer fees to Premier League relegated Burnley. Kompany signed a contract until 2027. He had been the coach for three years when Pep Guardiola was the trainer at FC Bayern.
Monday Departure for Training Camp
From Monday to Wednesday, the training camp is at Tegernsee. The first game under Kompany takes place there - against the underclass FC Rottach-Egern, who were beaten 27:0 last year.
Pflichtspielstart against Second League Promoted Team
The FC Bayern plays a friendly match against the Regionalligist 1. FC Düren on July 28. After that, there are tests in Seoul and London against Tottenham Hotspur. The official league debut takes place on August 16 against second league promoted team SSV Ulm in the DFB-Pokal.
"I want to make sure that the training start goes well and the season preparation runs according to plan," said Kompany. Only the first half hour of the first training session on Wednesday was open to the media. The first public training takes place on Saturday.
- Vincent Kompany, now the coach of FC Bayern, began his training sessions with Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka, and others, emphasizing the importance of focus and intensity for their Bundesliga title bid.
- Hiroki Ito, the latest addition to FC Bayern's squad, was present during Kompany's first training session in Munich, where he wore a red hat under the overcast sky.
- The new coach, using both German and English as his "Business Language," guided the team through their tasks, frequently using his whistle to provide direction.
- Kompany stresses the need for the squad to display a new season mentality, with the ultimate goal being to regain their place at the top of German soccer.
- EM participants such as Harry Kane, who reached the final, will join the team later, having earned themselves a three-week vacation following the competition.
- The Muncheners have recently made significant transfers, with João Palhinha (FC Fulham) and Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) set to join, while Hiroki Ito was brought in at a cost of around 125 million euros.
- Kompany's first game as FC Bayern coach is against FC Rottach-Egern at Tegernsee, a 27:0 opponent from the previous year, aiming to provide his players with a feel for the new season.
- Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry will also be under Kompany's coaching for FC Barcelona Munich, showcasing the team's star talent as they prepare for their upcoming Bundesliga season.
