Bayern Munich Coach Out for Weeks After Collapse

Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany is expected to be absent for several weeks, a duration the club confirmed on Saturday. The 40-year-old is currently receiving hospital treatment for a viral infection after collapsing on the training pitch the previous day.

Director of Sport Max Eberl addressed reporters to update the public on Kompany's condition. Eberl described the coach as stable but noted that medical examinations are ongoing to determine the specific nature of the illness. The club has not established a recovery timeline yet.

"Vinnie will be given all the time he needs. We're not starting to put together any timeframes," Eberl stated. He emphasized that the club must first understand the medical diagnosis before discussing return-to-play dates. Eberl clarified that the absence would be measured in weeks rather than days.

Assistant coach Aaron Danks will lead the team for the Sunday Bundesliga match at Freiburg. Danks, who is English, held the Saturday news conference in Kompany's stead. He revealed that he spoke briefly with Kompany on Friday, limiting the conversation to health checks rather than tactical discussions.

"All the football operations are in our hands, and we'll work together as a team to keep the club moving forward," Danks said. He also confirmed that Germany captain Joshua Kimmich will miss the Freiburg game, as he has been on bereavement leave since Tuesday.

Kompany had returned to the dugout for Wednesday's home match against Arsenal despite the virus. He admitted afterward that he had ignored warning signs from his body. The club decided not to seek a postponement for the upcoming Bundesliga fixture, with Eberl suggesting a strong performance would aid Kompany's recovery.

Bayern Munich enters Sunday's match leading the Bundesliga table by one point over Freiburg. The team's next scheduled fixture is a Champions League game against Atletico Madrid in Madrid on November 3.