Kompany’s appointment in 2024 initially attracted considerable scepticism after Burnley were relegated from the Premier League under his management. However, Eberl has explained how conversations with the former Manchester City captain convinced Bayern that he was the right man to lead the club into a new era.
Speaking to Bayern Munich’s club magazine 51, the sporting director reflected on the uncertainty surrounding the search for a successor to Thomas Tuchel and admitted that Kompany was not initially at the top of his shortlist.
“Had I presented Vincent Kompany as my very first candidate, I don’t know what the reaction would have been. The manager of the relegated Burnley team as successor to Thomas Tuchel?” Eberl said.
The club initially explored other possibilities, including bringing Julian Nagelsmann back to Munich. Eberl explained that he had a good relationship with the Germany coach, but Nagelsmann ultimately decided to extend his contract with the national team.
Ralf Rangnick was another candidate who did not take the job, leaving Bayern to reconsider the options on their list. Kompany’s name had already been included, and a detailed assessment of his work had produced encouraging conclusions.
Eberl eventually decided to call the Belgian himself. What followed was a four-hour conversation that left the Bayern executive convinced.
“Eventually, I said, ‘I’ll just give Vinnie a call.’ We spoke before our Champions League semi-final in Madrid. After four hours, I had to say, ‘Sorry, it’s 6pm, I have to go to a meeting.’
“I hung up and thought: ‘Wow, this feels good. He’s a real character.’ Then I asked Christoph Freund to form his own opinion. He came back convinced as well.”
Eberl was particularly impressed by Kompany’s footballing philosophy. Despite Burnley’s relegation, the Belgian had demonstrated a willingness to attack rather than retreat into a defensive approach against wealthier Premier League opponents.
The Bayern executive also knew that Pep Guardiola rated his former Manchester City captain highly. He suggested that senior club figures Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge contact the Manchester City manager for his assessment.
Guardiola’s endorsement proved influential, with the response arriving just two hours after the conversation.
The final negotiations took place at Kompany’s home in Manchester, where Eberl and Freund met the prospective Bayern manager. At 3am, Kompany said he wanted to sleep on the decision and speak to his wife.
Eberl responded by lying down on the sofa.
“He asked, ‘What are you doing?’ I said, ‘Uli told me I’m not allowed to leave your house until you’ve signed.’
“He said, ‘Yes, Max, I’ll do it. But I have to speak to my wife first.’ He eventually pushed me out of the door.”
The appointment has since vindicated Bayern’s decision to look beyond the initial doubts surrounding Kompany’s record at Burnley.