Flexibility Is Bayern’s Trump Card: The Kompany Plan Is Paying Off More and More | OneFootball

FC Bayern takes a clear approach to squad planning: quality over quantity—and maximum flexibility. With the signings of Nathaniel Brown and Ismael Saibari, the Munich club has strategically strengthened its squad without unnecessarily expanding it. It’s becoming increasingly clear what philosophy sporting director Max Eberl and head coach Vincent Kompany are pursuing.

While Bayern has signed only two new players from outside the club so far this summer, several players—including João Palhinha, Sacha Boey, and Bryan Zaragoza—are expected to leave the club. For Vincent Kompany, this strategy aligns perfectly with the team’s sporting direction.

With Brown, the record champions have signed a player who can play multiple positions. The German national team player can play on both the left and right sides of the defense and can also fill in at central midfield. Ismael Saibari, too, brings tremendous versatility to the team and can play in attacking midfield, on the wings, or up front.

It is precisely this versatility that has become a key selection criterion in squad planning. In contrast, Palhinha, Boey, and Zaragoza are considered specialists in their respective positions—and are also among the players expected to leave the club.

Vincent Kompany made it clear that he fully supports the club’s chosen course. “The club has made a clear statement; we’re on the same page there,” the Belgian explained, referring to the players slated for transfer.

Laimer could move back into midfield

Photo: IMAGO

Konrad Laimer could benefit from this development. The Austrian impressed last season as a right back, but has the ability to take on nearly any role in central or defensive positions.

Accordingly, the 29-year-old himself remained open-minded about his future on the field. “There are probably only two positions left where I’ll play—and I feel very comfortable in both. But maybe it’ll be just one, or maybe four or five again. I have no idea,” Laimer said with a smile.

His basic attitude hasn’t changed, though: “I feel comfortable in many positions. Right back and left back—I think I can contribute a lot to the team in both positions with my playing style. If I end up playing somewhere else again, that wouldn’t be a problem either. I don’t care where I play—as long as I’m on the field.”

With Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Tom Bischof, and Bara Sapoko Ndiaye—who is likely to sign a permanent contract soon—FC Bayern certainly has several options in central midfield. Nevertheless, Laimer could return to his natural starting position more frequently as the season progresses—especially if injuries or the need to manage player workload require greater rotation.

This gives Bayern an ever-increasing array of tactical possibilities. A small but extremely versatile roster is intended to give Vincent Kompany the flexibility to choose different solutions depending on the opponent and the game situation—a philosophy that Max Eberl himself recently described as a central goal of roster planning.