FC Bayern: That’s why 22-year-old Kompany angrily left HSV

Hamburgers threatened to call lawyers

Transfer negotiations can be tough, lengthy and full of stumbling blocks. Professionals sometimes want to force their move to their dream club and in order to do so they risk a lot of trouble with their current employer, lose credit with the fans or cause astonishment among their superiors. Transfermarkt looks at transfers in the past that were characterized by loud background noise. This time in focus: Bayern coach Vincent Komany, who once left HSV in anger.

Before his reunion with Hamburger SV in September 2025, Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany revealed why he wanted to leave HSV 17 years earlier – and did so. “I was so angry,” said the Belgian before the 5-0 win between the German record champions and the Hanseatic League at the start of the 2025/26 season. At the time, the anger also applied to his former club.

HSV recalled the defensive talent early from the Olympics in the summer of 2008, even though his national team was playing for medals at the Summer Games in Beijing. To make matters worse, coach Martin Jol initially only put him on the bench in the opening game in Munich, which ended 2-2. “I said: That’s not possible! My country is playing in the semi-finals at the Olympics… And I’m not allowed to play,” said 39-minute joker Kompany, explaining the situation. He remembered that other Bundesliga players were allowed to play at the Olympics until the end.

The young Kompany suddenly no longer wanted to know anything about an agreement that had been made beforehand. “I would like to stay for the whole tournament,” he said at the time. It was said that HSV had the opportunity to bring him back after the second preliminary round game. According to “Bild”, the otherwise so level-headed sports director Dietmar Beiersdorfer raged for his circumstances: “If Vincent doesn’t return, we will consult with our lawyer on Tuesday and, if necessary, take appropriate steps.” Meanwhile, the Belgian association distanced itself from its player because he had “unilaterally decided to stay with the team at the games in China”. Grumbling, Kompany is said to have finally relented in view of the threat of being banned from the Olympics.

Kompany’s HSV farewell: Dad’s objection didn’t help either

“That was unacceptable to me as a matter of principle,” emphasized the Belgian, referring to the events. “But there was only one person in the club who made it happen.” After that game, in which HSV scored for the last time in Munich, Kompany decided at the airport hotel in Munich not to play for Hamburg anymore. “I know it’s a great club. But I’m leaving on principle.” He couldn’t be changed by his father, who pushed for him to stay at HSV.

At the time, Kompany vented his anger at his employer, who had ordered him back, in public and complained: “I am portrayed as if I had not kept an agreement. There was a written agreement between the HSV and the Belgian association. My agreement was that the sporting situation would be analyzed.”

Kompany went to Manchester City for 8.5 million euros, where he got off to a flying start, became a top international defender, held the captaincy for years and celebrated four championship titles and eight cup wins. In 2012, the 1.90 meter tall Kompany achieved the highest market value of his career with an estimate of 35 million euros. In 2020 he ended his active career to join RSC Anderlecht as a coach: “I want to devote myself fully to my role as a coach and that requires 100 percent of my time. That’s why I’m quitting as a professional footballer.”

Vincent Kompany played 360 games for Man City and, among other things, became champions in the Premier League four times. The defender took part in the 2014 and 2018 World Cups with Belgium – the “Red Devils” even managed third place in Russia

The ex-professional now said about his decision to join Man City in 2008. “I didn’t make a bad choice.” Two years earlier, the Rothosen had signed the Belgian defensive jewel for 10.5 million euros from his training club Anderlecht, as the successor to defense chief Daniel van Buyten, who had moved to Munich at the time.

Despite the unfortunate farewell, Kompany said he remembers his two years at HSV as “warm”. “The time in Hamburg wasn’t easy personally, but at the same time it was very nice,” said the trainer. “My mother died during this time, my sister also had cancer. I was injured, ruptured my Achilles tendon, for nine months. It wasn’t easy, but I still made a lot of friends in Hamburg, got a lot from the club, a lot of support too. A connection has always remained for me.” Kompany appeared 51 times for HSV and scored four goals and one assist.

10.5 million euro purchase Vincent Kompany played a total of 51 times for HSV between 2006 and 2008, including three times in the Champions League

Cool words from HSV boss Hoffmann: Kompany did not meet expectations

Sporting director Beiersdorfer welcomed the 20-year-old defender with warm words after his signing: “Vincent is a player who has something very special. We have followed his development for a long time and are pleased that he chose HSV. Despite his youth, he has impressively demonstrated his class in the Belgian league, in the Champions League and in the national team.” The new signing himself once said: “I’m happy that the move to HSV worked out. Those in charge gave me a very good feeling in the discussions. I want to continue to ensure positive results with the team in the Bundesliga and internationally.”

When his sale to Manchester was finalized in August 2008, HSV President Bernd Hoffmann explained: “In the two years he was here, he was unable to meet his own and our demands. It is the right step for both sides.” They were “very satisfied” with the transfer fee achieved – even though HSV received 2 million euros less than they had put on the table for Kompany. The Bayern coach can now acknowledge all of this with a smile.

Note: This article first appeared on Transfermarkt in September 2025 and has now been published again.

Transfer Theater: All other parts at a glance