Among tactical implementation, developing players and dealing with the media, keeping a healthy dressing room atmosphere is one of the most important roles for a football manager. Managers can be strong tacticians but a failure to keep the dressing room under control could lead to total collapse—something Vincent Kompany’s predecessors, Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel, learnt the hard way. In contrast, the 39-year-old Belgian manager is capitalizing on his emotional intelligence to find the perfect
balance at Bayern Munich.
Kompany’s dressing room management has not gone unnoticed by Konrad Laimer, who has been one of the biggest beneficiaries since Kompany’s arrival in Munich.
“Yes, the atmosphere in the dressing room is talked about a lot,” explained Laimer when asked about the importance of dressing room atmosphere (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “In the end, you have to bring everything together on the pitch. We’re managing to do that right now. I always think you should be allowed to address things on the pitch and, sometimes, in the dressing room. I think we have a very good mix. We simply want to win games and win titles.
First and foremost, you need to give your all in training, prepare for all eventualities and, in difficult moments, stick together as a team. Everyone on the pitch and everyone on the bench, as well as those who are injured, need to stick together and overcome hurdles together.
You always have to face those in a long season. It has happened before and it will happen again. It always helps to have a team whose players help each other.”
A strong, united dressing room almost always reflects on the pitch. Bayern have been absolutely electric on the pitch this season, so it’s no surprise to hear Laimer raving about the atmosphere in Bayern’s locker room.
