Pen on paper: Bayern loves Kompany, and he loves their company

He wasn't Bayern's first choice - or even their second. But now, Vincent Kompany has turned "Plan F" into football's smartest bet.

Pep Guardiola saw it before anyone else. He said it with conviction:

"Remember my words - Vincent Kompany will one day coach Manchester City."

He may have been wrong about the club (so far, at least), but not about the man. Because Kompany, almost by accident, has rebuilt Bayern Munich into a machine.

The Belgian's arrival in Munich in the summer of 2024 was born out of desperation, not design. Bayern’s shortlist crumbled one name at a time:

Xabi Alonso wanted to stay another year at Leverkusen; Julian Nagelsmann chose Germany's national team; Ralf Rangnick stayed loyal to Austria; Crystal Palace demanded a surreal €100 million for Oliver Glasner (!); Roger Schmidt refused to leave Benfica; And Thomas Tuchel, tired of the chaos, walked away - only to take the England job months later.

So the Bavarians rolled the dice again. They paid €10.5 million to Burnley, a club that had just been relegated under Kompany's watch.

Guardiola, his old mentor, didn’t flinch:

"It doesn't matter that he went down with Burnley. Kompany will manage City one day, mark my words. He knows the game, he handles pressure, he inspires people. Bayern are lucky to have him."

Fast forward one year, and Kompany has silenced everyone. He's brought the Bundesliga title back to the Allianz Arena, overtaking Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen in his debut season.

He lifted the Supercup, opened the new campaign with 11 straight wins, and guided Bayern to their best-ever league start - seven wins from seven, +23 goal difference, and a statement victory over Dortmund (2-1).

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In total, under his command, Bayern have played 67 competitive games, winning 49, drawing 9, and losing 9. In the league alone: 32 wins, 7 draws, 2 defeats - an average of 2.51 points per match. Only one Bayern coach in history has done better: Pep Guardiola himself (2.52).

Even the boardroom is smiling again.

"Vincent has brought fun back to Bayern," said CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen. "He's built a team that dominates and entertains at the same time."

The reward? A new contract until 2029, with improved terms - and the ultimate vote of confidence.

Kompany didn’t ask Jackson for Chelsea advice

Proof that sometimes, football's best decisions come not from chasing the biggest name, but from believing in the right one.

"I'm grateful and honoured," said the 39-year-old. "It already feels like I've been here for years. This club fits me. What we've done so far is only the beginning - now we keep building, keep winning, and keep enjoying the game."

He may have arrived by accident. But Vincent Kompany is at Bayern to stay, and to remind everyone that football's best stories often start with the words "Plan B."

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 3

Tuesday

19.45: (1.22) Barcelona (7.30) Olympiakos (14.0)

19.45: (3.15) Kairat Almaty (3.25) Paphos (2.50)

22.00: (1.62) Arsenal (4.15) Atl.Madrid (6.00)

22.00: (4.50) Copenhagen (3.80) Dortmund (1.80)

22.00: (5.05) Leverkusen (4.30) PSG (1.67)

22.00: (1.67) Newcastle (4.20) Benfica (5.45)

22.00: (3.10) PSV (3.60) Napoli (2.35)

22.00: (4.65) St.Gilloise (3.85) Inter (1.80)

22.00: (4.55) Villareal (4.10) Man.City (1.80)

Wednesday

19.45: (1.35) Ath.Bilbao (5.50) Qarabag (10.0)

19.45: (1.57) Galatasaray (4.10) Bodo (5.80)

22.00: (1.45) Atalanta (4.50) Slavia Praha (7.00)

22.00: (1.18) Bayern (7.75) Club Brugge (13.0)

22.00: (1.25) Chelsea (6.50) Ajax (10.5)

22.00: (5.10) Eintr.Frankfurt (4.70) Liverpool (1.63)

22.00: (2.90) Monaco (3.45) Tottenham (2.40)

22.00: (1.48) Real Madrid (4.50) Juventus (6.75)

22.00: (2.25) Sporting (3.80) Olympique Marseille (3.15)

***odds are subject to change***