'Usually we're full of holes like Swiss cheese!' - Vincent Kompany named Bayern Munich's 'most important employee' as CEO reveals covert negotiations with high-flying manager

Bayern shocked the football world this week by announcing the extension of Kompany’s contract until June 2029, with the negotiations between the two parties slipping under the radar of German media.

The club's CEO, Jan-Christian Dreesen, was delighted to keep the signing under wraps before this week's confirmation, telling DAZN: “Usually we're as full of holes as Swiss cheese. This time, nothing really got through.”

Kompany’s rise at Bayern has been meteoric. Appointed ahead of the 2024-25 season from Burnley, he led Bayern to the Bundesliga title in his first year, suffering only two defeats. Over 68 competitive matches, he has recorded 50 wins and nine draws.

Despite initial scepticism due to his relative inexperience and the unconventional nature of his appointment, Kompany’s results quickly silenced doubters. Dreesen emphasised the importance of confidentiality, as previously Bayern's internal news had been facing leaks: “Besides the fact that this is the most important extension we can make with the club's most important employee, we were also pleased that it hadn't been leaked previously.”

Kompany’s influence on Bayern has been transformative. His leadership has brought cohesion, joy, and an attractive style of football, restoring Bayern’s dominance both domestically and in Europe. Club president Herbert Hainer praised the team spirit and offensive brilliance Kompany fostered, while players have publicly expressed their support.

Jonathan Tah, Bayern’s defensive stalwart, noted the excitement within the squad following the contract extension, saying: "We were all delighted about the contract extension – the team is very happy about it, the whole club is very happy about it." 

Kompany himself said of the development: “It feels like I’ve been here a lot longer and that I know the club well... We’ve started a wonderful journey. Let’s keep working hard and enjoy plenty more success.”

The coach has set multiple club records, including a 12-win streak in 12 competitive matches across Bundesliga and Champions League. He is also the first manager in the past 10 years to get a contract renewal at Bayern which further goes length to show how much the club valued the Belgian and wanted to keep him onboard.

After Bayern parted ways with Thomas Tuchel in February 2024, the club struggled to find a new manager. Top names like Julian Nagelsmann, Xabi Alonso, Ralf Rangnick, Hansi Flick and Oliver Glasner all declined, leaving Bayern searching for a fresh option. In the final weeks, Kompany, then at Burnley, emerged as a surprising candidate. Bayern negotiated a €12 million compensation package to secure him on a three-year deal until 2027, drawn by his leadership, tactical vision, and ability to unite players.

Kompany’s appointment was initially seen as risky. Critics questioned his limited experience at a top club and Burnley’s recent relegation. Many doubted whether he could command respect from Bayern’s star-studded squad and handle the immense pressure of one of Europe’s biggest clubs. Despite this, Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl and CEO Dreesen valued his hunger, calm authority, and fresh ideas, believing he could bring a long-term vision to the club.

Within months, Kompany proved the doubters wrong. He led Bayern to the Bundesliga title in his first season, implementing meticulous tactics, fostering team unity, and reviving the club’s spirit. The 2025 contract extension until 2029 reflected Bayern’s confidence in him, not just for results, but for the culture and cohesion he brought to the team. As Dreesen noted, Kompany had brought “fun back” to Bayern while creating a real, united team.

Following Kompany’s contract extension, Bayern now turns attention to player contracts. Harry Kane and Dayot Upamecano are next in focus. Kane has expressed openness to a renewal, having scored 20 goals in 12 games this season. Upamecano’s talks continue amid salary disagreements, with alternatives like Nico Schlotterbeck and Marc Guehi being considered. Kompany’s influence on these decisions is expected to be significant. Bayern’s management aims to maintain squad stability while balancing performance and financial considerations, with Kompany at the helm of this long-term vision.