Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany has credited former mentor Pep Guardiola for giving him the confidence to pursue a career in management. Guardiola announced on Friday that he is leaving Manchester City at the end of the season.
Speaking in Berlin ahead of Saturday's German Cup final against Stuttgart, Kompany, who captained Manchester City under Guardiola for three seasons, described working with the Catalan tactician as "a gift."
"I have my own personality and my own character, but the trust and belief that I could become a coach: for that, I owe gratitude to Pep," Kompany said. "And that is just how great his influence is. I maybe wasn't his best friend in the dressing room, or maybe I wasn't always loved, but I had an incredible belief in his style of leadership."
During his decade-long tenure at Manchester City, Guardiola, who previously managed Barcelona and Bayern Munich, won six Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League, among numerous other trophies.
Kompany clinched back-to-back Premier League titles under Guardiola in 2018 and 2019. Since taking over as Bayern Munich boss in 2024, the Belgian has led the club to two consecutive Bundesliga titles. He has the opportunity to secure a third major honor as a coach this weekend when Bayern faces Stuttgart in the German Cup final.
Kompany remarked that the public often misinterprets Guardiola's approach, particularly regarding his tactical focus. "Far too much is said about tactics or technique or whatever else. For him, it simply came down to that absolute desire to win everything – no matter what it was," said Kompany. "It was a gift for me to have had the opportunity to work with him during that time. I know that I owe this hunger to become a coach to those years I spent with him."
