Vincent Kompany has been hospitalized, with an air ambulance reported to have touched down at Bayern Munich's training facility on Friday. The development comes as the Bavarians' head coach has been fighting off a viral infection.
While the 40-year-old was able to oversee Bayern's commanding 6-1 victory over RB Leipzig on Saturday, BILD reports that Kompany was forced to rest on a couch in his coaching room both at halftime and following the final whistle.
Concerns deepened further when assistant coach Aaron Danks stepped in to represent him at the Bundesliga giants' pre-match press conference on Tuesday, ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against Arsenal.
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It is understood that Kompany underwent a comprehensive medical evaluation by specialists, including team physician Prof. Roland Schmidt, having missed training sessions on both Monday and Tuesday. Danks addressed Kompany's condition at the press conference, stating: "The most important thing we are encouraging him to do right now is to rest and take the time he needs – however long that may take."
To the astonishment of many, Kompany returned to the dugout for Wednesday's high-profile game at the Allianz Arena. Reflecting on the 2-2 draw afterward, the Belgian told reporters, via The Mirror: "As a coach, you always want to do everything and accomplish everything.
"I caught a pretty nasty virus last week, and of course I didn't listen to my body, and then at some point my body said: Stop now."
Bayern ultimately released a statement confirming that the manager had been hospitalized: "Vincent Kompany had to receive medical attention on Friday after collapsing during a training session involving FC Bayern Amateure. The first-team head coach had been watching the reserve team's training session. Kompany is undergoing thorough examinations in hospital and will remain under medical supervision. Until further notice, his coaching staff will oversee training sessions and matches."
This caps off a turbulent week at Säbener Straße, where several first-team players were absent from Wednesday's Champions League fixture.
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Michael Olise was ruled out due to a one-match suspension, having accumulated two yellow cards in rapid succession against Viking the previous week, while Jamal Musiala remained sidelined as he continued his recovery from a thigh injury picked up during the late September international break.
Bayern captain Joshua Kimmich was also absent from the matchday squad following a death in his immediate family. The Bavarian club released a statement reading: "Due to a death in his immediate family, Joshua Kimmich is not in the squad today for the match against Arsenal London.
"On behalf of the family, we ask that his privacy and grief be respected, and that further inquiries and reporting be refrained from. In deep sympathy, the entire FC Bayern stands by Joshua Kimmich's side."