Recovering Kompany not involved in Bayern's Dortmund preparations: 'He doesn't want mini-Vinnies'

Interim manager Danks confirms Kompany will not be involved in Bayern's preparation for Saturday's Bundesliga clash with Dortmund as the recovering manager focuses on his health.

Vincent Kompany remains absent from Bayern Munich's preparations ahead of Saturday's Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund. The 40-year-old Belgian manager collapsed on the training pitch a week ago and was airlifted to hospital, though he was discharged two days later.

Interim manager Aaron Danks confirmed at a press conference that Kompany will have no involvement in tactical planning for the match. "Absolutely not, really absolutely not," Danks said, explaining he had received strict instructions from Bayern's leadership to avoid discussing football matters with Kompany and to let him focus solely on his recovery and time with family. "We want him to rest and recover well, so when he returns to us, he is fully available to help us."

Danks also clarified that Kompany has explicitly asked his coaching staff not to become "mini-Vinnies," encouraging them to bring their own perspectives and approaches. Danks illustrated this philosophy with a metaphor about zebras and ostriches on the savanna, explaining how the two animals depend on each other's different strengths—hearing and smell versus sight—to survive. Bayern face Dortmund on Saturday at 18:30, with both teams level on points at the top of the Bundesliga.