Hugo Viana holds secret meeting with Vincent Kompany’s father claims Bayern Munich insider | OneFootball

Manchester City have made their very first steps towards Bayern Munich’s Vincent Kompany, according to one club insider reporting on the Allianz Arena.

The latest revelation adds further weight to growing speculation that City’s hierarchy are already planning for life beyond Pep Guardiola, despite the Catalan remaining under contract until the summer of 2027.

Over recent months, a clear pattern has emerged linking Manchester City to a shortlist of stylistically aligned successors, with Vincent Kompany consistently positioned near the top of that internal thinking.

Manchester City’s reported interest in Kompany has been repeated across both English and German media, with the Belgian widely viewed as an ideal cultural and tactical fit given his history at the Etihad Stadium.

His rapid ascent in management, culminating in his most recent appointment at Bayern Munich, has only strengthened perceptions that he could one day return to Manchester in a senior leadership role.

The appointment of Hugo Viana as sporting director in the summer has also sharpened focus on City’s long-term strategic planning. With Txiki Begiristain stepping aside, Viana has inherited responsibility not only for squad-building but also for shaping the next managerial era – a process that appears to be already underway behind the scenes.

According to the information of Bayern Munich insider ‘Bayern Space‘ on X, the Bundesliga giants have been informed a meeting took place ‘several weeks ago’ between Pierre Kompany – the father of Vincent – and the aforementioned City sporting director.

The discussion was reportedly held at an undisclosed location, while the unusual openness with which this meeting was communicated stems from Karl-Heinz Rummenigge’s long-standing and close relationship with senior decision-makers at Manchester City.

From Bayern Munich’s perspective, the exchange has been interpreted as ‘early information-gathering’ rather than the start of concrete negotiations. Unsurprisingly, it is highlighted that Vincent Kompany – given his deep personal history with the club – is regarded as one of several leading candidates currently under internal consideration in Manchester.

It was also relayed to Bayern that Pierre Kompany made clear to Hugo Viana that both the region and Manchester City as an institution ‘remain very close to Vincent’s heart’, and managing the club one day ‘represents a genuine personal ambition’.

However, on the subject of Kompany’s existing situation at the Allianz Arena, the report reveals that it was also made clear that there is no release clause in his contract at Bayern Munich. Instead, there is a gentleman’s agreement under which Bayern ‘would not categorically shut the door’ should City submit a ‘serious and formal approach’.

Finally, the report insists that it was emphasised the situation remains at a very early stage as City continue to assess multiple profiles and no decisions are considered imminent, although ‘communication channels between all parties will remain open’ moving forward.

While no immediate move is expected, the timing of the reported meeting aligns closely with City’s broader succession planning narrative. Guardiola himself has openly discussed the idea of stepping away from management in future, while multiple reports have indicated City do not want to be caught unprepared when that moment arrives.

For Bayern Munich, the situation is one to monitor rather than fear. Kompany has only recently committed his future to the German giants, and his focus remains firmly on establishing long-term success in Munich.

However, the claimed existence of informal dialogue suggests Manchester City are keen to position themselves early rather than reactively. As Guardiola enters the latter stages of his Etihad Stadium tenure, developments such as this underline how carefully the club are managing the transition.

Whether Vincent Kompany ultimately returns or another name emerges, amid links to Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca, the club’s intention to control the narrative – and the timing – of their next managerial chapter is becoming increasingly clear.