Dante on the change: “That’s not how I came to know Bayern” | OneFootball

Eleven years after leaving the club, Dante has returned to FC Bayern. The former defensive leader will now coach the reserve team—and sees a key difference at the record-holding champions compared to his playing days.

With Dante, FC Bayern has signed a high-profile returnee this summer. The former center back will take over the reserve team and will also coach the U19s in the UEFA Youth League. After his first few weeks at Säbener Straße, the 42-year-old has noticed one change in particular.

For him, the focus is on working with the young players. Dante particularly praised the approach of head coach Vincent Kompany, who places significantly more trust in young talent than previous Bayern coaches.

“He’s eager to develop young players and let them play,” the Brazilian explained during a press conference. He then drew a comparison to his own time in Munich: “That’s not how I experienced Bayern. Back then, the young players didn’t have as many opportunities as they do now under Vinnie.”

Dante wants to support Kompany’s approach

During his time as a Bayern pro between 2012 and 2015, Dante won the treble under Jupp Heynckes and subsequently additional titles under Pep Guardiola. Despite those successful years on the field, however, only a few academy players made the leap to the pro squad back then.

Under Kompany, the situation has changed. Last season, numerous young players made their debuts with the pros. That’s exactly where Dante wants to build on with his work.

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“My main goal here is to develop the young players,” emphasized the new coach of Bayern’s amateur team. The team’s standing in the Regionalliga plays a secondary role. “I hope to do a good job with the young players and that Vinnie will give them even more playing time.”

He’s also already in close contact with Kompany. “We’re always talking on the phone, and I’ve met him two or three times,” Dante revealed. Just a few days ago, the two of them jointly led a large tryout session with more than 60 young players.

His return to Munich came about following discussions with sporting director Max Eberl. Even during his playing career, Dante had the desire to become a coach later on. His own coaching philosophy is shaped by three influential mentors: “The best of Pep, the best of Jupp, the best of Favre. That’s what I need to build Dante’s identity as a coach on.”