Bayern Coach Kompany 'Stable' in Hospital After Collapsing in Training, Out for Weeks
Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany remains in hospital in a stable condition after collapsing during training on Friday, and the German champions expect the virus that felled him to keep him away from the dugout for several weeks.
Speaking at a news conference on Saturday, a day after the collapse, Bayern Director of Sport Max Eberl confirmed Kompany was still hospitalised in a 'stable' condition. Examinations were continuing to determine the nature of the former Manchester City and Belgium captain's condition, with a recovery timeframe yet to be determined.
Eberl told reporters: 'Vinnie will be given all the time he needs. We're not starting to put together any timeframes. We need to firstly figure out what it is, and then we'll discuss calmly what the recovery time is to be. We won't be talking about days but weeks. We need to all be clear on that.'
In Kompany's absence, his English assistant coach Aaron Danks will replace the 40-year-old for Sunday's Bundesliga match at Freiburg.
Taking Saturday's news conference in Kompany's absence, Danks said he had spoken with the former centre back briefly on Friday but only to wish him well. 'I explained to him that we wouldn't be having no football conversations. It was just checking in on his health and making sure he's OK,' he said.
Danks added that all the football operations were in their hands, and they would work together as a team to keep the club moving forward.
Bayern's second team's game was postponed on Friday after Kompany's collapse, but Eberl said the club did not consider trying to postpone Sunday's Bundesliga game. '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.'
Germany captain Joshua Kimmich, who has been on bereavement leave since Tuesday, will also miss Sunday's game, Danks confirmed.
Kompany had returned to the dugout for Wednesday's home clash against Arsenal despite missing the pre-match news conference due to the virus.
Speaking after the Arsenal game, Kompany said his body reacted after he tried to push through the illness. 'I caught a pretty nasty virus last week, and of course, I didn't listen to my body, and then at some point, my body just said, "Enough is enough!"' he said.
The defending champions sit on top of the Bundesliga table before Sunday's game, one point above Freiburg. Their next Champions League match is on November 3 in Madrid against Atletico.
All eyes are now on the results of Kompany's treatment — only once the examinations clarify the nature of the illness will it be known exactly how long the coach must spend on the sidelines.
