Max Eberl says Bayern made no mistake with Kompany

Max Eberl, Bayern Munich’s sporting director, says the club made no mistake in putting Vincent Kompany in charge of the team. He also said Bayern would step up its efforts to protect the coach from overwork, speaking at a press conference ahead of the following day’s Bundesliga match against Freiburg.

German press reports had pointed to Kompany’s long working hours and limited sleep as factors that may have contributed to the health issue he recently suffered. Eberl said the episode would keep the coach away from the team for several weeks. Asked whether Bayern should have intervened sooner, he defended the club’s approach: «Of course, people can try to find someone to blame, but the truth is that we protect our coach as much as possible. When the coach says he feels ready to carry out his duties, we cannot know exactly how he really feels, nor can we simply tell him we will not let him do it.»

Eberl recalled that the club had already kept Kompany away from work for two days before the match against Arsenal because it knew he had a virus. After he recovered, Eberl said, Kompany felt well, making it difficult to refuse to let him return to his duties. Eberl also spoke of the personal responsibility involved in recognising one’s limits, while praising a person he called «Vini» for his commitment and exceptionally strong work ethic.

«If you don’t listen to the faintest signals your body sends, your body will eventually shout,» Eberl said, adding that the situation had to be respected. He called for those involved to be given the time needed to manage it, and said Bayern would answer the questions it could and try to clarify what remained.

For Eberl, the best immediate response from the team would be to perform well against Freiburg and get a positive result. He also promised that «Vini will have the time he needs» and that the club would redouble its efforts to protect him from himself.