Vincent Kompany Denies Rumors Will Be Pep Guardiola's Successor At Manchester City

JAKARTA - Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has dismissed rumors linking him to Manchester City ahead of the DFB Pokal match against Union Berlin on Thursday, December 4, 2025, early morning WIB.

Kompany was asked about comments by former Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness, who said Pep Guardiola had informed the Belgian coach that he would be his successor as Manchester City manager.

"I often say, I'm not here to comment on Uli Hoeness's statement. I have great respect for him."

"But in football, I can't think that far. My focus is Bayern Munich and what we can achieve now."

"I like living in the world that is in front of me now, it took all my time. I didn't think of any other team at all, I only saw Bayern Munich," said Kompany as quoted by ESPN.

Bayern Munich are in a stunning performance this season, but experienced some decline in performance, starting with a draw against Union Berlin in the Bundesliga last month.

In the middle of last week, they suffered their first defeat against Arsenal in the Champions League, but were eight points ahead at the top of the Bundesliga standings after beating St Pauli 3-1 on Saturday, November 29, 2025.

However, they again had to rely on goals in stoppage time, with Luis Diaz and Nicolas Jackson scoring goals in injury time, respectively.

Against Union on November 8, 2025, they had to bounce back twice from behind. While their recent 6-2 win over Freiburg on November 22, 2025 saw them rise from two goals behind. However, Kompany dismissed those concerns.

"We started the season scoring three goals in the first 20 minutes. It was thought that it would change. However, being left behind is something we are trying to do, with a bigger focus."

"I still think this is a normal situation. If it starts to become a pattern, we have to try to overcome it. However, in the last 20 games, we are usually 3-0 up after 20 minutes. That's a lot more common," he said.

Bayern Munich has not won the DFB Pokal since 2020. Ending the series is the goal of Kompany, with the winner of the match on Thursday morning WIB qualifying for the quarter-finals.

"At the end of the season, we want to get this pressure again, even more. We want to do well and win. We are ready for anything, for 90 minutes or 30 minutes. This is positive pressure."

"You can always say you want to win everything, but it requires hard work and attitude. If we show tomorrow how hungry we are for the final, then we have a good chance," said Kompany.

Meanwhile, Alphonso Davies is not ready to return from his long-term injury, but Kompany hopes his other squad members will be ready.