Former Bayern Munich club president Uli Hoeneß has been making the rounds in the headlines over the past week for a plethora of things he said on a number of different topics while he spoke at Jürgen Höller’s “Power Days” event at Munich’s Olympic Hall. He also spoke at the “Sport Marke Medien” conference a day after the “Power Days” event. Needless to say, with the platforms he’s recently had, Bayern’s honorary president spoke his mind, which he has never had a problem holding back from doing so.
Part of his discussion revolved around manager Vincent Kompany and how Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had consulted Manchester City, and former Bayern, manager Pep Guardiola before they officially hired the Belgian. In the wake of Thomas Tuchel leaving the club after the 2023/24 season, Bayern’s manager search was difficult and they went through a number of names on their lists before arriving at Kompany. Guardiola gave his vote of confidence and also added that he feels Kompany would one day succeed him as manager of Manchester City, where Kompany previously played and worked under Guardiola.
Kompany responded to Hoeneß recalling Guardiola’s recommendation for an eventual reunion for Kompany at City. Expectedly, the Belgian manager is fully focused on Bayern’s football and didn’t want any part of getting caught up in comments made by Uli Hoeneß. “I’ve said often enough that I’m not here to comment on Uli Hoeneß’ statements. I have a lot of respect for him but I won’t be doing that. In football you can never think too far ahead. I’m 100% focused on what we can achieve with Bayern – I just want to live in the present. I have zero thoughts on other stuff, only tomorrow’s game and my team,” he stressed (via @iMiaSanMia).
While he might be personally flattered by Guardiola’s confidence in him as a manager, Kompany knows that anything said now about either Bayern or City is purely just speculation — nothing worth wasting energy on thinking too much about. “Pep already said that two years ago and last year. I can also say now who will be Bayern’s next coach. That does not decide anything and doesn’t play any role for me,” he said.
Not for noting, either, but Hoeneß’ recollection of Guardiola’s premonition comes not too long after Kompany signed a contract extension with Bayern. The extension keeps him at Bayern through June 2029, which might outlast the rest of Guardiola’s time at Manchester City.
