Bayern star Upamecano reveals: How Kompany helped him raise his game | OneFootball

Since his move from RB Leipzig to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2021, Dayot Upamecano was seen as the promise of the next defensive leader for the record champions. But the Frenchman only met the high expectations in phases during his first years—his performances were too inconsistent. Under Vincent Kompany, the Frenchman has taken a big step forward in his development.

This season, however, the 26-year-old looks like a different player. Error-free, composed, authoritative—Upamecano is one of the constants in Vincent Kompany’s defense. His development is finally writing the chapter the Bayern bosses had hoped for from the start.

“He helps me a lot” – intensive collaboration with the coach

In a conversation with the French daily Le Parisien, Upamecano revealed why everything is going so well for him at the moment. The reason: close and demanding collaboration with coach Vincent Kompany, himself once one of Europe’s best center-backs.

“We all admired him as children, he was a legend for Belgium and Manchester City. He was a very aggressive defender in duels, a leader on the pitch, and a good role model for me,” Upamecano enthuses.

He was particularly impressed by the tactical details and individual coaching: “He helps me a lot, we do many video sessions, he talks to me about my positioning. With him, it’s always very intense.”

Under Kompany, Upamecano has learned to improve his tackling and decision-making. The result: a stable, assured center-back who is finally fulfilling the potential that had already distinguished him in Leipzig.

Despite top form: Upamecano’s future remains open

Photo: IMAGO

Despite his sporting peak, the French international’s future at Bayern Munich remains unclear. His contract expires in the summer of 2026, and negotiations over an extension are proving difficult.

According to consistent media reports, Upamecano is demanding not only a significant salary increase but also a signing bonus of around 15 million euros—a point that is causing internal debate.

While Bayern are working on a solution, several top European clubs have already made inquiries about the defender. Clubs from the Premier League and Spain in particular are closely monitoring the situation.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.