Vincent Kompany has revealed that he had interest from other clubs before sensationally agreeing to become the new head coach of Bayern Munich.
The former Manchester City captain was expected to be part of Burnley’s future after being unable to keep them in the Premier League this season, with their relegation confirmed in the penultimate week of the season.
But, as detailed by Mail Sport last week, Bayern launched a surprise bid to lure him away from Turf Moor before agreeing a deal and announcing the shock appointment on Wednesday.
Kompany has now been unveiled as Thomas Tuchel’s successor, as the club look to rebound from their first trophyless season in more than a decade.
And he revealed that the interest from the Bavarian club was not one that he sought. In fact, Kompany let slip that several offers had come his way despite Burnley’s dismal Premier League campaign.
‘Whilst I was being a coach and doing my job I didn’t have any time to think about anything else.’ The 38-year-old told reporters on Thursday.
‘When Max [Eberl, board member for sport] and Christoph [Freund, sporting director] called and eventually we spoke and met, I didn’t have a plan in my head to do anything. I was just doing my job.
‘You mentioned one club but just so you understand how am – I’m a very private person – I was actually quite fortunate to have a lot of interest from a number of other clubs as well.
‘But I never went looking for anything. I wasn’t interested in anything. I was happy to meet people and I met good people.
‘That was my decision. The players, the people inside the club, we see the same thing and understand the same thing but also the values and what we believe in.
‘Then I felt like ‘okay, I have to do this’ but I was thinking that I had to go there or there. It was nothing like this.’
Bayern’s search for Thomas Tuchel’s successor has seen the likes of Xabi Alonso, former head coach Julian Nagelsmann and ex-Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick turn the role down.
The German giants had even tried to tempt Tuchel into staying after announcing his departure three months ago, but those U-turn talks failed to prompt a change of heart.
Kompany, who spent two seasons at Hamburg before joining Manchester City in 2008, speaks fluent German and his philosophy is said to have impressed the Bayern hierarchy.
It is, however, a gamble for both sides after their respective disappointing campaigns. Bayern failed to win the Bundesliga for the first time since 2012, while the reputation that Kompany – linked with Tottenham and Chelsea last year – had forged at Turf Moor took a hit with a 19th-placed finish.
Kompany is the latest coach to have worked with Pep Guardiola to secure a high-profile job, following the likes of Mikel Arteta and soon-to-be Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.
The Belgian went on to comment on his former boss and reiterated his impact in his career. But Kompany was keen to distance himself from direct comparisons and urged people not to be ‘convinced of him’ before he’s been able to get down to work.
‘I’ve played at the highest level in my career and I want to pass that on to my players.’ He added. ‘I would never compare myself to Pep Guardiola.
‘He was very important in my career. I’ve also recently spoken to Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeness and they also stand behind me.
‘But I don’t want everyone to only be convinced of me beforehand, but also of my work on the pitch during my time here.’
