Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany took time to talk topics outside of football this week, appearing as a ‘guest speaker via video conference’ at a the 2026 European Employment & Social Rights forum, with his remarks captured by @iMiaSanMia.
In this appearance, Kompany shared how his career in sports was informed every step of the way by his upbringing — and emphasized the importance of a culturally diverse environment.
“Sports helped me solve many problems I faced later in life. Brussels is
one of the most multicultural cities in the world,” Kompany said. “Sports was the only thing that made me realize that you’re not defined by the color of your skin, but by the color of your shirt.
“We were in teams with players from all conceivable backgrounds, and yet we had a common goal and stood for values that society would like to see more of. Even though we live so close together, we don’t know each other. Through sports, you meet people from different cultures. I found that very tangible. For me, the core of a society is to give diverse, isolated communities that lack opportunities a sense of connection.”
But simply being in a multi-cultural environment doesn’t mean it’s easy, or the same experience for everyone. Kompany’s lived experiences tell him differently.
“My mother worked for Actiris, the employment agency in Brussels, for twenty years. She gathered her children together and explained that statistically, because of our name or skin color, we had to work twice as hard to get a job,” Kompany added. “My mother was white, blond, and blue-eyed. What she said came from a very genuine concern for her children. We used that hard, double work as a strength, as something that could make us better.
“I see everyone who’s young and struggling as a kind of mini-version of myself. So I see quite a lot of successes. It’s not easy, but it’s not just about making yourself useful, but also about achieving your dreams.”
From Brussels to England and now to Germany…Kompany has certainly embodied that spirit of hard work and achieved great successes. Now, he is in a position to light the way for the next generation.
“I see hope in young people, I see hope in talented young people, and I see hope in energetic young people. They need to feel that there are other people who are taking the lead,” Kompany stated.
Kompany is the current chairman at BX Brussels — his hometown club which he purchased in 2013. It is described on the forum website as ‘social football club based in Brussels that uses sport as a tool for social integration.’
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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