But then Vincent Kompany was always a Burnley manager with a difference. Even in his leaving, that has proved true. Neither, it is safe to say, ever appeared on a shortlist compiled by Bayern. Arguably Kompany did not either, given the length of it. An enormously eloquent figure like Kompany presumably impressed in an interview.
The Belgian had argued that it took players training sessions and meetings to understand his style of play and then jettisoned some of his promotion-winning stalwarts to pack his side with new signings. It makes or breaks you. Right now, Burnley would not be able to sell either β certainly not Tresor β at their purchase prices. Two of the success stories of his Championship campaign, Anass Zaroury and Manuel Benson, lost value as they were marginalised last season.
The transfer policy that worked in the Championship was a crushing failure in the Premier League. It leaves Burnley with a mess, with far too many players once all their loanees return with the notable exception of Wout Weghorst, many are Kompany signings and a need to offload some to make money, plus the question of whether an oddly compiled squad suits another manager and whether players attracted to Lancashire by the charismatic Kompany are as enthused by his successor.
All of which may be irrelevant to Bayern. With their various sporting directors, in Max Eberl and Christoph Freund, and various powerbrokers, Kompany will have far less influence over transfers in Bavaria.
If the job there is more as a head coach, at Burnley he was something of a throwback to the age of the all-powerful manager. Owner Alan Pace gave Kompany huge sway. And, potentially, a problem for a club who surely need promotion to offset their heavy spending. The combination of enormous self-belief and a high-class squad may mean he will feel he can win it.
