Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany to miss weeks after hospital collapse

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany is in a stable condition in hospital but is expected to be unavailable for weeks after collapsing during reserve-team training on Friday.

The 40-year-old Belgian had been suffering from a virus in recent days and had already missed some training sessions.

Bayern sporting director Max Eberl said the club’s immediate priority was Kompany’s recovery, with a diagnosis needed before any decision could be made about his return.

“We need to firstly figure out what it is and then we’ll discuss calmly what the recovery time is to be,” Eberl told reporters in Munich.

“We’re not talking about days, but weeks. We all need to be clear on that.”

Kompany remains under hospital care, although Bayern have not provided further details about his condition.

The club postponed the reserve team’s fixture after the collapse, but Eberl said there had been no discussion about delaying Sunday’s Bundesliga match away to Freiburg.

“I think the greatest joy for Vinnie would be for us to play well tomorrow and, ideally, get a positive result,” Eberl said.

“That would probably be one of the best things we could do to help him recover.”

Assistant coach Aaron Danks will lead Bayern against Freiburg in Kompany’s absence. He said his conversation with the manager had focused entirely on his health rather than football matters.

“I explained to him that we wouldn’t be having any football conversations. It was just checking in on his health and making sure he’s OK,” Danks said.

“All the football operations are in our hands and we’ll work together as a team to keep the club moving forward.”

Kompany took charge of Bayern Munich after becoming the club’s manager and has overseen a side currently at the top of the Bundesliga.

Bayern have 14 points from six matches and lead Borussia Dortmund on goal difference. Freiburg are third, one point behind the leaders.

Despite Kompany’s absence, Bayern will therefore continue with their scheduled preparations for the trip to Freiburg, with Danks taking responsibility for the team on Sunday.