Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany has been taken to hospital, with an air ambulance spotted landing at the club's training facility on Friday. The 40-year-old had been battling a viral infection.
Kompany's Week of Health Struggles
Kompany oversaw Bayern's 6-1 victory over Leipzig on Saturday, but BILD report that he had to rest on a sofa in his coach's room at half-time and after the win. Assistant coach Aaron Danks stepped in for the Bundesliga giants' pre-match press conference on Tuesday, ahead of their Champions League encounter with Arsenal.
Kompany received a comprehensive examination by medical specialists, including team doctor Prof. Roland Schmidt, and was absent from training sessions on Monday and Tuesday.
Danks and Kompany Speak Out
Danks said of Kompany during the press conference: "The most important thing we are encouraging him to do right now is to rest and take the time he needs – however long that may take."
Despite this, Kompany led his team for Wednesday's fixture at the Allianz Arena. Speaking after the 2-2 draw, the Belgian told the press: "As a coach, you always want to do everything and accomplish everything. I caught a pretty nasty virus last week, and of course I didn't listen to my body, and then at some point my body said: 'Stop now.'"
Player Absences and Club Statement
It has now been reported that Kompany was rushed to hospital, capping off a torrid week at Säbener Straße, with several first-team players absent from Wednesday's Champions League fixture.
Michael Olise was forced to sit out the match after serving a one-match ban, having picked up two yellow cards in rapid succession against Viking the previous week, while Jamal Musiala also missed out as he continues his recovery from a thigh injury sustained during the late September international break. Bayern captain Joshua Kimmich was also absent following a death within his immediate family.
A statement from the Bavarian club read: "Due to a death in his immediate family, Joshua Kimmich is not in the squad today for the match against Arsenal London. On behalf of the family, we ask that his privacy and grief be respected, and that further inquiries and reporting be refrained from. In deep sympathy, the entire FC Bayern stands by Joshua Kimmich's side."
