Vincent Kompany recovering but Bayern Munich have no return date

Bayern Munich assistant coach Aaron Danks says Vincent Kompany is improving after collapsing in training, although the club still does not know when the head coach will return to work.

Kompany was taken to hospital on Friday after becoming unwell during a reserve-team training session. The 40-year-old Belgian had been suffering from a virus and had already missed several sessions before the incident.

Danks visited Kompany on Monday and said his condition was encouraging.

“I paid him a short visit yesterday,” Danks told reporters before Bayern’s German Cup second-round match against Magdeburg on Wednesday.

“He is in good spirits. It looks like every day he is getting better. There are no major updates in terms of diagnosis or return to work. Let him rest, let him take his time.”

Kompany’s absence comes during a demanding period for Bayern, who face Magdeburg in the cup before Saturday’s Bundesliga meeting with Borussia Dortmund. The German champions then travel to Spain next week for a Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid.

Danks said he had remained in contact with Kompany, but their discussions had deliberately avoided football-related matters while the coach recovers.

“We had some good conversations with him but kept it away from football and specific tactics,” he said. “It was just a friendly chat and nice to see him and catch up.”

The assistant coach also described the past week as an emotionally difficult one for Bayern’s squad. The players celebrated Harry Kane becoming the first Englishman in 25 years to win the Ballon d’Or, while at the same time dealing with concern over Kompany’s health.

Kane followed Michael Owen, who won the award in 2001.

Danks said the contrasting events had tested the squad, but Bayern’s unity had helped the players maintain their focus.

“For us, we are super professional. Full extremes of life in the last week. Joys and highs for Harry and the lows of the last days,” he said.

“To get through these moments we had to rely on our chemistry, our team spirit and that definitely helped us.”