Vincent Kompany home recovering as Bayern Munich say return will not be rushed

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has left hospital after doctors identified meningeal irritation as the cause of the collapse that led to him being airlifted for treatment.

The Belgian became unwell during training with Bayern’s second team last Friday and was taken to hospital by air ambulance. Reports also said he dislocated his shoulder in the fall.

Bayern sporting director Max Eberl said Kompany’s condition had improved significantly before the club’s German Cup meeting with Magdeburg on Wednesday.

“His condition is very good, especially considering what he has been through,” Eberl told ARD in comments reported by SPOX. “He left hospital today, and that is the best news for all of us.”

Eberl added that medical tests had established the nature of Kompany’s illness.

“They found out what he is suffering from. It is an irritation of the meninges, which caused what happened last Friday,” he said.

Kompany had been dealing with a viral infection before the incident, affecting his ability to lead Bayern from the touchline during their demanding match against RB Leipzig. Although he returned to the bench for the game against Arsenal, he had previously been forced to cancel several commitments, including press conferences and training sessions.

After the collapse, Eberl warned that the manager could be absent for several weeks and said Bayern would give him sufficient time to recover fully.

Kompany’s return will depend on doctors

Kompany’s discharge has not changed the expected timescale for his return to work. Eberl said the priority was for him to complete his recovery without being rushed.

“He can now continue his rehabilitation at home, which means resting and taking his medication,” Eberl said. “I am very confident that he will soon return to the technical area fully fit.”

He added: “When the doctors say he is able to return, he will say that he is ready too. He will get all the time he needs. From the beginning, we have spoken about an absence that could last for weeks.”

Eberl rejected suggestions that Kompany’s condition was linked to the demands of coaching, including long working hours, limited sleep and constant pressure.

“Pressure and exhaustion are part of our job, but we have to be careful when talking about Vinny’s illness,” he said. “It is a medical condition that could affect any of us, and I would not wish it on anyone. But it is not connected to the pressure we face in the Bundesliga. This is an illness, and the two things must be clearly separated.”

He said doctors had also ruled out a link with the viral infection Kompany had suffered previously.

Kimmich decision still unclear

Eberl said Bayern had faced an unusually difficult period, with Jamal Musiala’s fainting episodes and epilepsy, as reported, attracting widespread attention. The club was also affected by the sudden death of Joshua Kimmich’s father before the Champions League match against Arsenal.

Kimmich, one of Bayern’s key midfielders, has been absent since then, and his availability for Saturday’s meeting with Borussia Dortmund remains uncertain.

“If Jo feels he wants to regain his peace of mind, so to speak, he will be welcome at any time,” Eberl said. “I hope that happens soon.”

He added: “Not many clubs have gone through circumstances like these. We are not talking about minor matters, but issues that go beyond football and remind us that the game comes second to what happens in life.

“It is a difficult period at the moment, but we can see how united this club is and how everyone is supporting one another.”