Super Eagles and Bayer Leverkusen forward Nathan Tella has commended Vincent Kompany for his impressive start as Bayern Munich’s head coach, despite the Bavarian giants suffering a 1-0 loss to Leverkusen in the DFB Pokal.
Kompany, who took charge at Bayern Munich after a challenging season with Burnley in the English Premier League, has guided the Bundesliga record-holders to the top of the league table as the Christmas break approaches.
This marks a notable turnaround from the previous campaign, where Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen led the standings at the halfway point. Tella, a key figure in Leverkusen’s victory at the Allianz Arena, scored the decisive goal with a precise header off an Alejandro Grimaldo cross.
The Nigerian international’s performance helped his side advance in the cup competition, but he didn’t hold back his admiration for his former manager.
“He’s done an incredible job since he’s been there,” Tella told ESPN after the match. “He’s changed the dynamic of the team. They’re in a better place now than they were last season.
“They’ve been a really strong team, and I’m happy to win and to see him, but more importantly, the team’s good result today.”
The match also provided a poignant reunion for Tella and Kompany, who worked together at Burnley during their triumphant EFL Championship-winning campaign.
Under Kompany’s guidance, Tella had a standout season, scoring 19 goals and contributing five assists in 45 appearances before moving to Bayer Leverkusen last summer.
Despite the DFB Pokal setback, Bayern Munich’s league form under Kompany remain a testament to his managerial prowess.
