Vincent Kompany has returned to Bayern Munich’s training ground for the first time since collapsing last month, starting a gradual return to work before the Bundesliga meeting with Cologne on November 20.
The 40-year-old Bayern Munich coach arrived at the club’s Sabener Straße complex shortly after 10am on Tuesday, according to German media reports. He spent time in his office, held discussions with assistant coach Floribert Ngalula and sporting director Christoph Freund, and watched injured players go through a recovery session.
Kompany’s return to Sabener Straße does not mean he has resumed his full coaching responsibilities. He is expected to return to the dugout after the international break, with Bayern scheduled to host Cologne on November 20.
He collapsed on October 23 while watching a training session involving Bayern’s reserve team. After being taken to hospital, he was diagnosed with meningeal irritation, an inflammation affecting the tissue around the brain or spinal cord. He was subsequently discharged and continued his recovery at home.
Assistant coach Aaron Danks has been in charge during Kompany’s absence. Bayern have won four matches and drawn 2-2 with Borussia Dortmund under Danks, beating Freiburg, Magdeburg, Atletico Madrid and Mainz.
Danks said Bayern’s senior figures had told him to ensure Kompany concentrated solely on recovering rather than discussing football during his absence.
“I have clear instructions from Max [Eberl] and Christoph [Freund] not to engage in discussions, first of all, and to keep Vince focused on nothing other than his health and spending time with his family,” he said.
“We want him to rest and recover properly so that, when he returns, he is fully fit and can help us in the best possible way. We are being very strict here and keeping football completely out of it.”
Kompany’s father, Pierre, had previously spoken about the demanding schedule maintained by his son. In an interview with Bild, he said the Bayern Munich coach worked 18 hours a day on most days and had little time with his children.
“He works 18 hours a day most days and, on a typical day, barely sees his children,” Pierre said, adding that Kompany often arrived at the training ground early and left late.
Kompany is expected to take his place on the touchline again when Bayern Munich host Cologne on November 20.
