Bayern Deputy Aaron Danks Prepares Freiburg Match as Vincent Kompany Remains Hospitalized

Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany is expected to be sidelined for an extended period after collapsing on the training pitch on Friday. The club confirmed on Saturday that the 40-year-old is receiving treatment for a virus and remains in hospital in stable condition.

Director of Sport Max Eberl led the news conference, stating that medical examinations are continuing to determine the exact nature of the illness. He emphasized that the club has not established a specific recovery timeline. "Vinnie will be given all the time he needs. We're not starting to put together any timeframes," Eberl said. He noted that the absence will be measured in weeks rather than days, and the club wants to understand the problem before discussing recovery.

English assistant coach Aaron Danks will take charge for Sunday's Bundesliga match against Freiburg. Danks, who stood in for Kompany at the press event, said he spoke briefly with the former Manchester City and Belgium captain on Friday. "I explained to him that we wouldn't be having no football conversations. It was just checking in on his health and making sure he's OK," Danks said. He added that the coaching staff will work together to keep the club moving forward.

Eberl explained that the club did not seek a postponement for the league fixture, although a second team match was delayed on Friday. He argued that a strong performance and a positive result would be the best way to support Kompany's recovery. "That would probably be one of the best things we could do to help him recover," he said.

Danks also confirmed that Germany captain Joshua Kimmich, who has been on bereavement leave since Tuesday, will miss the match against Freiburg. Kompany had returned to the dugout for Wednesday's home game against Arsenal despite missing the pre-match press conference due to the virus. He admitted he had ignored warning signs, stating, "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 just said, 'Enough is enough!'"

The defending champions enter Sunday's game at the top of the Bundesliga table, holding a one-point advantage over Freiburg. Their next competitive fixture is a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid in Madrid on November 3.