Vincent Kompany · Biography

Vincent Kompany made his first-team debut for Anderlecht on 30 July 2003, aged 17, in a goalless draw away to Rapid București in the second qualifying round of the Champions League. Born on 10 April 1986 in Uccle, in the Brussels region, he played centre-back for Anderlecht, Hamburg and Manchester City, captained both the English club and Belgium, and then moved into coaching. He has managed Bayern Munich since 2024.

Youth and early years at Anderlecht

Kompany came through the academy at Anderlecht, Belgium’s most decorated club, and reached the first team at a young age. After that European debut in Bucharest he established himself in central defence and was part of the side that won the Belgian title in 2003-04. Two seasons later he won the league again, in 2005-06. His rise was quick enough that the national team called him up before his 18th birthday.

The German interlude

On 9 June 2006 Hamburg announced his signing for a reported fee of around €10 million. In the Bundesliga he had to adapt to a more physical game and a dressing room in another language, and his German spell was disrupted by injuries. He played both at centre-back and as a holding midfielder, a versatility that would prove useful in England. His stay in Hamburg lasted two seasons.

Manchester City captain

On 22 August 2008 he joined Manchester City on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut two days later in a 3-0 home win over West Ham United. His arrival coincided with the club’s takeover by Abu Dhabi United Group, the start of a long sporting overhaul. In the summer of 2011 he was handed the captaincy for the 2011-12 season, which brought the club’s first league title in 44 years.

He made 360 appearances and scored 20 goals for City in all competitions. He won four Premier League titles (2011-12, 2013-14, 2017-18 and 2018-19), two FA Cups (2010-11 and 2018-19), four League Cups (2013-14, 2015-16, 2017-18 and 2018-19) and two Community Shields (2012 and 2018). The 2018-19 season, his last in Manchester, ended with a domestic treble.

Belgium national team

He won his first Belgium cap on 18 February 2004, aged 17, in a 2-0 home defeat to France. He captained the side from 2010 and finished with 89 caps and 4 goals across fifteen years. With the Olympic team he finished fourth at the 2008 Beijing Games. He played at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups; in Russia Belgium finished third, the country’s best result at the tournament. Injury kept him out of Euro 2016.

Back in Brussels and first steps in management

On 19 May 2019 Anderlecht announced his return as player-manager. Between 1 July and 22 August 2019 he was also in charge of the team before handing over the touchline duties. On 17 August 2020 he retired as a player and was appointed Anderlecht head coach, a role he held until 2022.

Burnley

On 14 June 2022 Burnley, just relegated from the Premier League, appointed him manager. In his first season he moved the team towards a possession-based style and won the 2022-23 Championship, earning automatic promotion back to the top flight.

Bayern Munich

On 29 May 2024 Bayern Munich appointed him on a three-year deal. In his first season he won the 2024-25 Bundesliga, sealed on 4 May 2025, followed by the 2025 Franz Beckenbauer Supercup. In 2025-26 he retained the Bundesliga and won the DFB-Pokal with a 3-0 victory over VfB Stuttgart in the final. In 2026 he lifted the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup again.