- Major Bavarian Directive for Kompany: "Secure Victory in Each Match"
Manuel Neuer, now a retired international player, steps onto a smaller football field for his first game as a club player. With Germany's record goalkeeper, the Bundesliga kick-off at VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday (3:30 PM/DAZN) marks the beginning of a new, unconventional routine. His appearances will now be limited to wearing the club jersey, following his departure from the German national team.
Despite the team's third-place finish in the Bundesliga, a second-round exit in the DFB-Pokal, and a tough semi-final exit in the Champions League, Bayern, including Neuer, is determined to enhance their national standing under the guidance of the relatively inexperienced coach Vincent Kompany.
Neuer stated, "We aim for a championship season."
"We're up against a new challenge. We're starting anew. We know the successes we accomplished with Bayern last year. So, the yearning to play a different, championship-winning season is extremely high," said Neuer. "That's where we stand."
The game at the Volkswagen Arena signifies Kompany's debut as a coach in the Bundesliga, making him the third Belgian coach in the league after Erik Gerets (Kaiserslautern, Wolfsburg) and Marc Wilmots (Schalke). Kompany must prove himself as the top solution, following the unmatched search for Tuchel's successor.
A new coach in Munich, proven strategies among rivals
Kompany is commended by team members and management for injecting new vigor. The 38-year-old coach views his role as a 24/7 commitment. The fact that the top sides from last season, such as champions Bayer Leverkusen, runners-up VfB Stuttgart, and fourth-placed RB Leipzig, are beginning the new title race with established coaches does not faze Munich.
"New coach, new input, new impact" was sporting director Max Eberl's response. "We have a coaching team that brings new energy to the locker room. We can feel it," said Eberl, who has the final say on coach selection and squad reorganization. Eberl expects tangible results.
Eberl maintains high expectations, extremely high - even for Kompany. "We have a formidable attack squad. We aim to win every game. And if we win every game, the mathematics is straightforward," said Eberl after the final league game against Grasshopper Club Zurich. Attack everywhere, win everything is the blueprint for a season that culminates with a Champions League final back in Munich.
"Formidable attack squad" with Palhinha and Olise
The squad, strengthened by high-caliber signings Joao Palhinha and Michael Olise from the Premier League, must quickly adapt to Kompany's playing style. Energetic, aggressive, active, and mentally tough are Kompany's core keywords for the summer, embodying his high-tempo pressing football. Not only veteran Neuer is captivated by the onset. "We have open ears and are eager to execute the things the coach demands of us," said the captain.
Injuries to new signing Hiroki Ito, returnee Josip Stanisic, and Leroy Sané (rehabilitation training), and the absence of Sané, have been classified as "incidents" by Eberl. "The guys will return relatively quickly." Eberl is optimistic about the squad, which was intentionally expanded a bit, particularly in midfield and behind striker Harry Kane, where fierce but desired competition exists.
Kompany's Special Task: Defensive Stabilization
Former top defender Kompany is anticipated to fortify the defense around Dayot Upamecano and Minjae Kim, who have been prone to mistakes. "It already looks like football, even the activity, how we want to defend forward," Eberl observed after the preparations. Neuer is eager to witness Kompany's debut and his initial weeks as a former national player: "After six, seven games, you know, it all falls into place."
Despite Neuer's previous accomplishments with Germany, his focus now shifts to Bavaria. With Vincent Kompany leading Bayern, Neuer is motivated to help the team achieve championship success, stating, "We aim for a championship season."
The arrival of coach Kompany in Munich and the addition of players like Joao Palhinha and Michael Olise are expected to bring new energy and strategic changes to Bayern's playing style, with a focus on high-tempo pressing football.
