FC Bayern would like to extend Dayot Upamecano’s contract. He remained tight-lipped in a major interview, but spoke in the highest terms about coach Vincent Kompany.
Dayot Upamecano is not known for being a loudmouth. But this Tuesday, the FC Bayern center back spoke at length, with L’Equipe dedicating its cover story to him. Over two pages, the Frenchman talks in detail about his development, his current coach, and the decision he will have to make about his future next summer. When asked about Vincent Kompany, Upamecano immediately becomes enthusiastic. “I’ve tried to improve a lot of things, and I owe that above all to a great coach,” the 27-year-old makes clear right away: “When he arrived, he immediately gave me tips.” Kompany also regularly calls his protégé into his office to “show me video clips where I can see what I need to do better.”
Kompany, once a top center back himself, is a great help when it comes to positioning and pre-orientation on the field. Upamecano explains that the active style of play and active defending up front under the Belgian also suits his style very well: “I feel much stronger. When Kompany arrived, a lot changed. He showed us how we can defend better.”
Kane “still defends in the 87th minute”
The fact that “a striker like Harry Kane still defends in the 87th minute” says everything about Bayern under Kompany. Before the clash of the titans with PSG, Bayern’s coach once again emphasized “that we shouldn’t be afraid and should go for it. He even said to me: ‘If you have to, put pressure on the goalkeeper.’”
Kompany’s plan worked once again, and Bayern are now unbeaten in 17 competitive games. Upamecano plays a central role in this, having made nine Bundesliga and four Champions League appearances for Munich.
Upamecano: “I have a good advisor.”
The German record champions are very interested in extending his contract, which expires in the summer of 2026. This was emphasized not least by Bayern’s re-elected president Herbert Hainer at the general meeting. Sports director Christoph Freund also reiterated several times over the weekend “that it is our big goal to extend with Upa.”
But what does he himself think about continuing his time in Munich? “I have a good advisor. We will make the right decision,” Upamecano said cautiously in an interview. He said he has “always said that I feel comfortable at Bayern. I have a great coach and great teammates.”
However, that is not yet a commitment. ” I’m focusing on this season and my goals with the club and the national team,“ he says, but at the same time emphasizes: ”I’m honored that there are clubs interested in me.“
The interest from other clubs is also ”not surprising“ for Freund, ”because he’s simply performing really, really well.” His current club coach obviously plays a big part in that.