Karl-Heinz Rummenigge knows Bayern Munich inside out. From playing 422 games for the Rekordmeister to being the club’s CEO between 2002 and 2021, and now a member on the supervisory board, the 69-year-old analysed Vincent Kompany’s early weeks at the club.
Speaking exclusively to kicker, Rummenigge likes the way in which Kompany sets up his team.
“I am very satisfied in sporting terms because we have found our way back to a positive culture that is simply fun,” said Rummenigge. “I like the high pressing. It reminds me of the times under Jupp Heynckes, Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Hansi Flick, when we celebrated this kind of ‘fun football’. So I think it’s important that we have found our way back to that.
“Not only has our football become attractive again, but you can also feel the joy of the spectators in the stadium.”
After a 100 percent record in their opening six games across all competitions, Bayern Munich are winless in their last three with successive draws in the Bundesliga against Bayer Leverkusen (1-1) and Eintracht Frankfurt (3-3), either side of a Champions League defeat at Aston Villa.
But despite the minor blip in form, the players are buying into Kompany’s philosophy.
“This is a double effect that was not present last season,” added Rummenigge. “This is the great merit of Vincent Kompany, who convinced the players with the way he plays football.”