Hoeneß: Kompany must integrate Bayern youngsters | OneFootball

Youth development is moving increasingly into the spotlight at FC Bayern – and Uli Hoeneß has publicly set a high bar for coach Vincent Kompany.

In the SPORT1-Doppelpass, the honorary president didn't mince words. “Lennart Karl is a great player, he’s only 17. It’s impossible without a coach who gives them playing time. He promised us that he would integrate some players over the course of the season,” said Hoeneß. With this, he made it clear: The record champions expect Kompany to pave the way for campus talents into the first team.

Eberl Focuses on Development Over Hype

Sporting director Max Eberl also recently emphasized that the youth strategy is not a short-term trend. “We don’t want to follow a hype, but rather the development,” he explained. The goal, he said, is to create a stable environment and gradually bring the players up to Bayern’s level.

Especially at a time when the squad is thin in attack, the youngsters could get playing time sooner than expected.

Kompany Urges Patience

Photo: IMAGO

Kompany, meanwhile, is showing caution. Even before the season started, he emphasized: “We are very proud when we can bring young players from the campus into the first team, like Lennart Karl. But of course, not everyone can immediately become a Bayern player.” The Belgian points to the long process involved in developing from a talent to a professional.

Shooting star Lennart Karl is particularly in the spotlight. The 17-year-old impressed in pre-season with his speed, technique, and bold performances. For many fans, he’s already seen as a beacon of hope – for Kompany, he’s a symbol of a generation he wants to nurture step by step. “Let’s give us and them a little time – and then we’ll have new German talents at FC Bayern,” said the coach.

A Balancing Act Between Pressure and Patience

The high expectations carry risks. Eberl reminds us that in the past, many talents have failed because they wanted too much too soon. Bayern want to avoid this scenario this time.

The path is clear: the campus is finally to become a real pillar of the professional squad. But between Hoeneß’s call for bold decisions and Kompany’s appeal for patience lies a fine line.

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