Vincent Kompany Reflects on Edin Dzeko’s Impact and Return to Germany

Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany had the opportunity to discuss Edin Dzeko’s remarkable return to German football during a press conference on Friday. The interaction took a surprising turn when a journalist recited a quote regarding Dzeko, referencing his time as Kompany’s teammate at Manchester City.

The reporter began by stating, “Someone once said about you, ‘He was a magnificent captain. He was the best captain we could have had at the time. He only thought about what was best for the team. Sometimes we referred to him as ‘the professor’ because he was always reading books whenever we were sitting on the bus for away games.”

This prompted laughter from Kompany, who was clearly amused by the description. The reporter continued, “He always had two or three books with him. He was a fabulous captain and one of the most influential figures at City in the last decade.’ Can you guess who said that?”

A voice from the back of the room hinted, “Dzeko,” causing the reporter to humorously urge the audience to refrain from answering. He emphasized that he had posed the question to Kompany rather than the crowd.

“Dzeko, really?” Kompany responded, still in disbelief. “That’s quite something. Yes, he was incredibly important to us during that period. He joined us from Wolfsburg after winning a Bundesliga title, and he was a pivotal transfer for us. His contributions in that decisive game were instrumental in securing our first title. I will always be grateful to him for that moment.”

Kompany further praised Dzeko’s enduring performance, stating, “The fact that he has maintained a high level of play for such an extended period speaks volumes about his professionalism—much like Manuel Neuer does to stay fit and competitive. I recognized Edin’s talent and potential from a young age. His height and goal-scoring ability have remained intact.”

Concluding his remarks, Kompany mentioned, “In the context of the 2. Bundesliga, where the competition level may be slightly lower than what Dzeko is accustomed to, he could prove to be a significant asset in the latter stages of the season. He was vital to my career, and I wish him all the best.”

GGFN | Peter Weis