Bayern Munich: a new era begins with Vincent Kompany

The 2024-2025 season for Bayern Munich promises to be one of the most exciting in recent years. After winning 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles, the Bavarians ceded the crown to Bayer Leverkusen last season, who had a dream run winning both the national title and the DFB Pokal. Bayern's consolation was reaching the Champions League semifinals, where they were narrowly defeated by Real Madrid in a thrilling match.

With the end of Thomas Tuchel's era, Bayern Munich's management decided to change direction. Tuchel did not receive a contract renewal, and Vincent Kompany was brought in as his replacement. Despite a recent relegation with Burnley in the Premier League, Kompany impressed Bayern's board with his playing style and football philosophy, heavily influenced by Pep Guardiola.

Vincent Kompany began his playing career in the 2003/04 season with Anderlecht, winning the Belgian league in 2004 and 2006. After two seasons at Hamburg, he moved to Manchester City in the 2008/09 season, becoming a defensive stalwart for 11 years. At City, he won four Premier League titles, four League Cups, two FA Cups, and two Community Shields. In 2022, he was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame. Kompany earned 89 caps for Belgium, scoring four goals and participating in the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, where Belgium finished third. After leaving City, he became player-manager at Anderlecht, retiring from playing in 2020. He later managed Burnley, achieving promotion to the Premier League before being relegated the following season.

There's a lot of curiosity surrounding Vincent Kompany's first major coaching stint: "I can't wait to face the challenge at FC Bayern. It's a great honor to work for this club: FC Bayern is an institution in international football. As a coach, you need to represent who you are as a character: I love having the ball, being creative, but we also need to be aggressive and courageous on the field. Now, I look forward to getting started with the basics: working with the players, building a team. Once the foundation is right, success will follow."

Bayern Munich has high ambitions for the 2024-2025 season. Reclaiming the Bundesliga title is the main goal, with the club also aiming for the domestic double. Germany's most successful club also seeks to advance as far as possible in the Champions League. The duel with reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen will be central, especially after the 3-0 defeat last season at the BayArena.

Vincent Kompany has identified several players not in his plans, including Matthijs De Ligt, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, and Noussair Mazraoui. Their departures will depend on market offers. Despite an injury hampering his early season, De Ligt was a key player under Tuchel but is now on the market. Kimmich, Goretzka, Coman, and Gnabry, all part of the 2020 treble-winning team, might also leave, marking the end of an era.

New signings include defenders Eric Dier on a free transfer from Tottenham and Japanese international Wataru Endo from Stuttgart. In midfield, Joao Palhinha from Fulham has joined after an excellent European Championship with Portugal. In attack, Michael Olise from Crystal Palace, who scored 10 goals and provided 6 assists last season, has been added.

Will 2025 be the year Harry Kane finally wins a trophy? Despite his goal-scoring prowess, his teams have often fallen short of titles. This trend continued with Tottenham and Bayern last season, marking the first time since 2011-12, and with England, who lost consecutive European Championship finals.

Bayern's preseason includes matches against Tottenham and Liverpool in the United States. The official competitions begin on August 16 with the first round of the DFB Pokal against SSV Ulm 1846 Fußball. The Bundesliga opener is on August 25 against Wolfsburg, followed by fixtures against Freiburg, Kiel, and Werder Bremen. The major clash with Leverkusen is scheduled for September 29 (fifth matchday), with the return fixture on February 15 at the BayArena.

The season's start will be crucial for setting the tone. Alongside the clash with Leverkusen, the Klassiker against Dortmund on November 30 (twelfth matchday) at Signal Iduna Park will be pivotal. The return leg is on April 12 at the Allianz Arena, six matchdays before the season's end.

The 2024-2025 season represents a fresh start for Bayern Munich under Vincent Kompany. With a refreshed squad and new playing philosophy, the Bavarians aim to reclaim the Bundesliga and progress in the Champions League. Key battles with Bayer Leverkusen and Dortmund will determine the season's success. Kompany's task is to restore Bayern to the top of European football, continuing the club's proud tradition of excellence.