There was panic at the camp of German Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich, on Friday after manager Vincent Kompany collapsed during a training session at the club’s famous Säbener Straße training ground.
The Belgian tactician, who has been battling a viral infection in recent days, was said to have broken down immediately after the session, prompting quick intervention from the club’s medical team.
According to German publication SportBild, which first broke the news, a rescue helicopter was seen landing at the training ground earlier in the day before an ambulance conveyed the former Manchester City captain to a hospital in Munich.
Eyewitnesses at the training facility disclosed that players and backroom staff were left in shock as medical personnel battled to stabilise the 40-year-old coach before moving him out of the premises.
The incident comes just days after Kompany managed to lead Bayern in their UEFA Champions League clash against Arsenal at the Allianz Arena, which ended in a pulsating 2-2 draw on Wednesday night.
It would be recalled that the Bayern boss had been struggling with his health even before the Arsenal game, having missed training on Monday and Tuesday due to the same viral infection.
He was also conspicuously absent from the pre-match press conference ahead of the Arsenal tie, with his assistant, Aaron Danks, standing in for him.
During Bayern’s 6-1 thrashing of RB Leipzig last weekend, Kompany was visibly weak and spent most of the game seated on the bench while his assistants handled tactical duties from the touchline.
Reports from Germany indicated that the infection had caused complications with old scar tissue in his hip, making it extremely difficult for him to walk and even climb stairs.
After the Arsenal match, Kompany himself admitted that he had ignored medical advice and pushed his body beyond its limit in a bid to be with the team.
Speaking to journalists after the game, he said, “As a coach, you always want to do everything and achieve everything. I caught a pretty nasty virus last week and, of course, I didn’t listen to my body. At a certain point, my body said: Stop now!”
Bayern Munich are yet to release an official statement on the current condition of their manager, but sources within the club say there is great concern over his health.
The Bavarians are scheduled to face SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Sunday, but it is now doubtful whether Kompany will be on the bench for that encounter.
Fans of the club have already taken to social media to wish the former Burnley manager a speedy recovery, with many calling on the club to prioritise his health over football.
One fan wrote, “Get well soon, Kompany. Football can wait. Your health comes first,” while another said the pressure of managing a big club like Bayern is taking its toll.
As at press time, medical personnel at the Munich hospital where he was taken were still carrying out examinations to determine the full extent of the illness.
The club’s sporting director, Max Eberl, had earlier in the week said Kompany would be given all the time he needs to recover fully, stressing that the coaching crew is capable of holding forth.
Football lovers across Nigeria and beyond are now waiting for an official update from Bayern Munich, with hopes that the situation is not as serious as feared.
If his absence is prolonged, assistant coach Aaron Danks alongside Rene Maric and Floribert N’Galula are expected to take charge of the team on an interim basis. For now, the entire Bayern family holds its breath and prays for the quick recovery of Vincent Kompany.
