A relegation coach for FC Bayern

Is it a day like any other? Naturally. Fortunately, even today at seven o'clock the world in my little cosmos is still in order. Almost like in the novel by the Briton Eric Malpass about the family of Gaylord Pentecost, who discovers the world early in the morning. Everything is still a bit sleepy, even if your partner has to attend to her professional obligations for a long time. In the meantime, I'm enjoying my little freedom, although with some restlessness, because every day it's always the news that concerns me. It was also a relatively short night, as Atalanta Bergamo's game against Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin was of course on the agenda.

After the first two goals against the German champions, I remembered many games that were turned around after such deficits. Most recently also against an Italian club (AS Roma). But miracles are not the order of the day in sports. Another third goal. Over. Terrible? No. Not at all. The far better team simply won that evening. I would like to leave the assessment of the subtleties and differences to the many experts and football fans. At that moment, another thought emerged for me: patience. Patience that pays off. At some point, even if it is sometimes very tiring, having to face the wait. There are unsatisfied longings that need to be overcome and desires that need to be put aside.

A victory for patience Gian Piero Gasperini could probably write a book about it. He has now been with the “Divines” for eight years, as the club is so beautifully called based on Greek mythology. Atalanta is a virgin huntress, the daughter of Klymene. During these eight years, Gasperini was constantly fed up. Ice cold at times. Three defeats in Italian cup finals (in 2019 against Lazio, in 2021 against Juventus Turin and again against Juve a week ago) seemed like a curse. But never, really never, was the grand seigneur on the sidelines in question. He was allowed and able to work in peace and turned Atalanta, a traditional club flying under the radar, into a serious competitor in the league and internationally respected. Eight years. Jürgen Klopp has been at Liverpool for nine years now. Christian Streich worked at SC Freiburg for twelve years. Otto Rehhagel determined the fate of Werder Bremen for 14 years without a break. Patience. Sometimes it just pays off. Now for Gasperini, who initially stood modestly on the side when the trophy was handed over before he then threw himself into the crowd of his team and lifted the pot.

Gian Piero Gasperini wins the Europa League with Atalanta. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

It doesn't matter that it was only the European Cup and not the victory in the Champions League. On the way to the final, the Bergamascos defeated Liverpool FC, when they were leading the Premier League, and also Sporting Lisbon, the Portuguese champions. And now in the final the German champions, who have been unbeaten for an entire Bundesliga season. It was the first defeat in 52 games for Xabi Alonso's team. That's another reason why it's a great victory and certainly the greatest moment in the life of 66-year-old Gian Piero Gasperini. And above all, it is also a mega success for the club management of Atalanta Bergamo. A role model for many. How do they say. “The grass doesn't grow faster if you pull it.” In Bergamo, people kept calm. Always. And maybe it's true that everything comes to those who can wait. But life is short and waiting is often difficult. And it's not certain whether it's always worth it.

Vincent Kompany for FC Bayern On this somehow busy morning, another piece of news catches our tired eyes. FC Bayern Munich has, oh wonder, found a coach. So this wait is over. But then I have to admit that I once again rubbed the sleep out of my eyes with an ice-cold shower. Vincent Kompany is probably the name of the new coach (the ink isn't on the papers yet). The 38-year-old Belgian is, so to speak, a young trainer. He spent two years at RSC Anderlecht and then moved to Burnley FC in the north of England. He led the club from the second division to the Premier League and was relegated again this year. After all, he is said to have always preached attractive football until he returned to the second division. Nice but unsuccessful. So Vincent Kompany. It's guaranteed not to be well received at Tegernsee, where Uli Hoeneß lives, that a relegation coach comes to the sorely shot Munich team. Kompany's inaugural visit, which he will surely have to make, will be exciting. However, there is still paperwork to be completed.

The Belgian has a contract in Burnley until 2028. This simply means that FC Bayern will probably have to pay a transfer fee in the double-digit million range. But that is certainly the smallest problem. Rather, one cannot shake the feeling that the new sports director Max Eberl was now under pressure to act after many rejections from celebrities. An international solution was probably needed in order to maintain a certain degree of exclusivity and to suggest that FC Bayern continues to be a sought-after address. One thing is already clear, however. You will have to be patient with Vincent Kompany. And that's when we learned that this isn't necessarily a standout characteristic of the Munich team when dealing with their trainers. See Nagelsmann and Tuchel recently. After the news about Leverkusen's defeat, the news about Tuchel's possible successor was not necessarily the news with positive vibes. Skepticism initially prevails, coupled with the intention to give the art of waiting (patience) a chance.

About the author: Sigi Heinrich The multi-award-winning sports journalist (including winner of the German Television Prize and the Bavarian Sports Prize), author, long-time sports editor of the Süddeutsche Zeitung and early commentator at Eurosport (since 1989) dedicates his column “Sigi's Peaks” to the entire diversity of sport . Sometimes with a smile and a wink, sometimes thoughtfully or deliberately provocative. But always with a personal touch. There should be something for everyone.

	SP	TV	P
1. 1. FC Heidenheim	2	6:0	6
2. Bayern Munich	2	5:2	6
3. RB Leipzig	2	4:2	6
4. Bor. Dortmund	2	2:0	4
5. 1. FC Union Berlin	2	2:1	4
6. VfL Wolfsburg	2	4:3	3
View all

	SP	TV	P
1. Fortuna Dusseldorf	4	5:1	10
2. Karlsruhe SC	4	8:5	10
3. Greuther Fürth	4	10:4	8
4. 1. FC Magdeburg	4	9:3	8
5. SC Paderborn	4	6:3	8
6. 1. FC Cologne	4	11:5	7
View all

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Hockey

Tennis

Winter sports

Learn More

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

A relegation coach for FC Bayern

The many comments about Bayer Leverkusen's defeat in the European Cup final against Atalanta are followed by news about the possible new coach of FC Bayern Munich. Our columnist Sigi Heinrich certainly sees the beginnings of goal-scoring panic in Munich.

Comments (0)