Kompany not focused on his first title at Bayern: 'Focus on the match'

Soccereco, Staff Writer

Published: 12:57, 25 Apr 2025

Bayern Munich could, if everything goes well, celebrate the 34th league title in the club's history on Saturday afternoon. Head coach Vincent Kompany says he is not thinking about that in the build-up to the title-deciding match.

Bayern can celebrate the title if they beat FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday afternoon and Bayer Leverkusen, the defending champions, drop points against FC Augsburg.

Only then can the trophy be brought out and the beer showers begin. The Allianz Arena is already preparing for what could be a historic day, but everything still depends on both Bayern’s own result and what happens elsewhere in the Bundesliga.

Despite the anticipation, Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany is making it clear that his focus remains entirely on the task at hand. For him, the speculation surrounding the title is secondary to the challenge of preparing his team for a difficult away fixture. "I’ve only prepared for the match against Mainz. That’s the only thing that matters. Other scenarios aren’t going through my mind," said Kompany during his pre-match press conference.

Kompany, known for his calm and methodical approach, is determined to shield his squad from distractions. He believes that thinking too far ahead could be detrimental. "We respect Mainz a lot. They’re a team that can cause problems, especially at home, and we have to be at our best. Talking about titles before the final whistle blows is not something I do," he added.

The Belgian manager, who made a name for himself as a player with Manchester City, brings a wealth of experience into the Bayern dressing room. He lifted twelve trophies during his time in England, including four Premier League titles, and also enjoyed domestic success in Belgium, where he won the league twice with Anderlecht. However, Kompany insists that the role of a coach is very different from that of a player when it comes to winning trophies. "As a coach, you feel that it’s the players who have won the title. So I wouldn’t say it’s my title," he explained. "It’s about the players. Talent determines a lot. I want them to have the chance to show their best version. I hope we can achieve it, but it’s important that the players want to reach it."

He continued, "My job is to guide them, to create the environment where they can succeed. I don’t score goals or make tackles anymore. I provide the structure and the belief, but ultimately, they’re the ones on the pitch. If they lift the trophy, I’ll be proud, but for me, it’s always about the team, not the individual accolades."

Kompany’s journey as a manager has already seen its fair share of highs and lows. After retiring from professional football, he took over at Anderlecht, where he began developing his coaching philosophy. He later moved to England, where he led Burnley to the Championship title in his first full season, earning promotion to the Premier League. It was a remarkable achievement that showcased his ability to inspire and organize a team. However, the following season proved challenging, and Burnley were relegated from the top flight. Despite that setback, Kompany’s stock remained high, and in the summer of 2024, he was offered the opportunity to take charge at Bayern Munich.

Joining a club of Bayern’s stature is never an easy task, particularly when expectations are sky-high. The Bavarian giants are used to dominating German football, and anything less than silverware is often seen as a failure. Kompany has embraced that pressure, though, and has worked tirelessly to instil discipline, unity, and ambition within the squad. Under his leadership, Bayern have shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, mixing solid defensive performances with moments of attacking flair.

Now, as the season nears its climax, Kompany is on the verge of securing his first major title as a manager at one of Europe’s elite clubs. Yet, true to his character, he refuses to get carried away. "The most important thing is the next game. If we don’t do our job against Mainz, then everything else is irrelevant," he said. "We have to earn the right to talk about titles, and that only happens after we’ve delivered on the pitch."

Bayern’s players have echoed their coach’s sentiments, stressing the need to stay grounded and focused. Veteran stars like Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Müller have spoken about the importance of experience in moments like these, reminding their teammates that nothing is won until it’s mathematically certain.

As Saturday approaches, all eyes will be on Bayern and their performance in Mainz. Should they win and Leverkusen falter, the celebrations will begin, marking yet another chapter in the club’s illustrious history. But until then, Vincent Kompany remains fully committed to the immediate challenge, knowing that in football, nothing can be taken for granted.