Vincent Kompany is expected to remain in hospital for several more days after collapsing while watching Bayern Munich’s reserve team train, with sporting director Max Eberl confirming the manager is stable but still undergoing medical checks. Bayern have also made clear that the Belgian will be given weeks, rather than days, to recover, as the club prepares for its next matches without setting a return date.
Kompany collapsed while watching Bayern’s reserve team train
Kompany was taken to hospital on Friday, October 23, after collapsing while watching a training session involving Bayern’s reserve side. The club confirmed shortly afterwards that he had required medical attention and would undergo a thorough examination.“Vincent Kompany had to seek medical treatment on Friday after collapsing during training for FC Bayern’s amateurs,” Bayern said in its statement.“The first-team coach had been watching the second team’s session. Kompany will undergo a thorough examination in the hospital and remain in medical care. For the time being, his coaching staff will manage training and match operations.”The incident came after the 39-year-old had been dealing with a viral infection and a hip injury that affected his mobility. Kompany missed training on Monday and Tuesday, leaving assistants Aaron Danks and Rene Maric to lead preparations for Bayern’s Champions League meeting with Arsenal.
Soccer Football – UEFA Champions League – Bayern Munich v Arsenal – Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany – October 21, 2026 Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany reacts REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth
He was nevertheless well enough to attend Wednesday’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal from the dugout, having also overseen Bayern’s 6-1 win over RB Leipzig the previous weekend.After the Arsenal match, Kompany told Bild that he had pushed himself too hard while ill.“As a coach, you always want to do everything and accomplish what you can. I caught a pretty nasty virus last week, and of course I didn’t listen to my body, so at some point it just said: Stop now!”
Max Eberl says Kompany is stable and needs time
Bayern sporting director Max Eberl provided a more reassuring update on Saturday, October 24, confirming that Kompany was stable but would remain in hospital for several more days.“The good news is he’s stable. I spoke with him last night, with his wife too. It wasn’t a nice moment for all of us, he collapsed on the pitch yesterday and will spend a few more days in hospital until everything is checked over. It shows again how health is the most important thing in life – not football. So, all of us send our best well-wishes. We as FC Bayern stand together. The most important thing is that the cause is established and he gets fit again, and can recover in peace.“He’ll only come back when he’s fit. The tests have already yielded some results, but further results are needed to determine exactly what it is and how long it will take for him to recover. He’s in the best hands. The best thing we can do is support him emotionally with energy and love.”Eberl stressed that the club would not rush Kompany back before doctors had established what caused the collapse and how long his recovery would take.
Bayern considered postponing their Freiburg match
The incident also affected Bayern’s reserve players, who witnessed Kompany collapse during their training session. Eberl said the experience had been difficult for the young squad, with some players understandably overwhelmed.“For the U23s, it happened while they were training, so they experienced it first-hand. For 17- and 18-year-old boys, that’s quite something – many of them haven’t had to deal with anything negative before. Some things just happen. The boys were a bit overwhelmed; that’s only human.“Thanks to Vilzing and the Bavarian Football Association for being so quick to say: ‘Let’s postpone the match.’ There are more important things than football. These things weigh on us as human beings. The most important thing is that we’re healthy. Everyone looks out for one another; that’s what defines FC Bayern.“We’re there for each other and for everyone else who’s affected by this.”Bayern had considered asking the Bundesliga to postpone their trip to Freiburg on Sunday, October 25. Eberl said the club ultimately believed playing and succeeding would be the best outcome for Kompany, while the manager remained in hospital.
Kompany’s return will be measured in weeks, not days
Eberl made clear that Bayern would give Kompany all the time required to recover, without setting a deadline for his return to work.“We need to find out what the issue is, and then it’s a question of what the recovery time will be. We’re not talking in terms of days, but weeks. We’re all clear on that. “And we have such a fantastic coaching staff, led by Vinnie. But our success is down to an outstanding team behind the scenes. There’s absolutely no thought of changing anything. All the guys here are outstanding – and so, in the spirit of Vinnie, which everyone carries within them, we can all tackle the coming weeks.“Support has also come from Manchester City, where Kompany spent years as captain before moving into management. The club posted on X: “Everyone at Manchester City is wishing a speedy recovery to our former captain and Club legend, Vincent Kompany,” followed by: “Get well soon, Vinny.”For now, Bayern’s focus remains on Kompany’s health, with further medical results needed before the club can say when its head coach might return.