Philipp Lahm: "A former footballer is most likely to understand what players have to achieve in a specific situation on the pitch. Kompany is more familiar with the difficulties, opportunities and risks from his own experience.

"This empathy creates closeness and care between a coach and a player. That’s why Ancelotti gets along so well with excellent players. That’s why Kompany and Bayern are suited to one another. As a centre-back, he was intelligent, charismatic and thought strategically.

"His appointment came as a surprise because his CV did not make him a candidate, but that kind of experience is not everything. It is the Bundesliga’s style to give young coaches without a track record a chance; German football is keen to experiment."

[The Athletic FC]