Written by Han Bing 15 straight wins! Even against Leverkusen, Kompany’s Bayern secured an easy 3-0 win while resting the Kane, Olise, and Dias trio, setting a new record for the best start in the top five leagues. Just 17 months ago, when Bayern announced the 38-year-old Kompany as head coach, even the most optimistic German media doubted him, as the Belgian coach had failed to keep Burnley in the Premier League. Now, 17 months later, Kompany has led Bayern to a flawless start with 15 consecutive wins in all competitions, becoming the first Bayern coach in 15 years to earn a contract extension.

This perfect start stems from Kompany’s “English-style” high pressing attacking football and his ability to foster a positive locker room atmosphere. His innovations in communication and tactical philosophy have greatly benefited many key Bayern players, significantly enhancing the team’s immediate competitiveness. Kompany combines Klopp’s passion with Ancelotti’s calmness, making him the decisive factor behind Bayern’s flawless beginning.

Perfect Bayern, Perfect Coach

After just one year of evaluation, Kompany has proven himself as the “perfect” choice for Bayern’s coaching role. German journalist Broll compares Bayern’s summer 2024 appointment of Kompany to Dortmund’s decision to hire Klopp in 2008: both coaches had just experienced relegation battles with their previous clubs, and both share an aggressive attacking tactical style. When Bayern’s coaching selection became a “PR crisis” after many top coaches declined, Kompany “rescued” Bayern’s embarrassment by accepting the club’s management structure and willingly becoming an integral part of the club’s system, unlike many other candidates.

Kompany’s transformation of Bayern was not instant but had the ingredients for success from the start. Unlike several academically trained predecessors, Kompany’s successful playing career gave him a natural leadership aura in the locker room. Players grew up watching him lift the Premier League trophy with world-class performances and often chose him in football video games to win matches, greatly easing his task of commanding respect and establishing authority as a coach immediately.

His unique upbringing endowed Kompany with exceptional leadership and organizational skills. As a descendant of black immigrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo, he grew up in Brussels where Flemish, French, and English coexist, mastering all three languages and quickly adapting to diverse cultural backgrounds. His father Pierre was a politician, and his mother Joseline a union leader, nurturing his extraordinary leadership and communication skills from childhood. At 21, facing injury crises, his mother’s death, and his sister’s cancer diagnosis while joining Hamburg, he learned humility, discipline, and patience.

Kompany excels in communication and never publicly criticizes players. Bayern is no longer the “football Hollywood” plagued by internal conflicts. More player interaction and targeted recovery plans have not only unlocked player potential but also created a harmonious, united locker room atmosphere. Kompany’s management philosophy is simple: “Football is a game of 11 players, but victory belongs to 23 who trust each other.” While everyone discusses tactical changes and players’ performance surges behind Bayern’s 15 straight wins, the fundamental reason is the dramatic positive shift in the locker room environment brought by Kompany.

Tactical Evolution: More Running, More Variations

Bayern’s perfect start is tactically driven by Kompany’s possession play and high pressing, with added direct attacking variations. This season, Bayern leads the Bundesliga in total distance covered, high-intensity runs, and sprints. Increased movement brings tactical versatility. Formations are no longer fixed; Bayern fluidly switches between 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 3-2-5, and even 2-2-6 depending on the match situation, keeping opponents guessing.

Of course, Kane remains the tactical core. He freely drops back to organize play, opening greater attacking space. Kompany often cites Kane’s goal against Dinamo Zagreb as a model for high pressing—an English striker retreats, wins the ball, then launches a quick counterattack leading to a goal. Kompany has optimized the high press by reducing its depth while strengthening central protection. This fast yet precise pressing system has significantly boosted the performances of Kane, Kimmich, and Leimer.

Kompany pays great attention to details, whether it’s positioning during attack organization or timing and direction of runs into the final third. He provides players with very specific instructions and analysis. Kompany and his technical staff tirelessly teach players various tactical concepts.

According to Bild, Kompany’s tactics emphasize initiating attacks from the back, focusing on attack direction and mutual support. Frequently shifting attacks to the opponent’s weak defensive side is a key strategy. Off-the-ball, players maintain high pressure and intensity upfront, forming a compact defensive unit through high pressing.

Kompany will inevitably face challenges like injuries, grueling schedules, and multi-competition pressures during the sprint phase, but he has already put Bayern on a strong upward trajectory with tactical upgrades and a highly united team. The most formidable aspect is not just the consecutive wins but the confidence and positive locker room atmosphere these victories have fostered throughout the club. The last time Bayern had such a dominant start was the 2012/13 season, which culminated in a historic treble. Whether history will repeat remains uncertain, but Bayern already carries the aura of a reigning champion.