Vincent Kompany is in hospital after collapsing at Bayern Munich's training ground on Friday, with the club confirming the news days after their manager had pushed through illness to oversee a 6-1 victory over RB Leipzig and a 2-2 Champions League draw with Arsenal.
Bayern said Kompany, 40, was taken ill during a training session being run by the club's second team. A rescue helicopter landed at the Sabener Strasse base before he was transported to a Munich hospital by ambulance. He is reported to be in a stable condition and is undergoing thorough examinations under medical supervision.
The club's official statement read: "Vincent Kompany had to receive medical attention on Friday after collapsing during a training session of FC Bayern's second team. The first-team head coach had been watching the second team's training session. Kompany is undergoing thorough examinations in hospital and will remain under medical supervision. Until further notice, his coaching staff will take charge of training and matchday operations."
Kompany had been suffering from a viral infection over the past week, with the illness said to have caused difficulties with old scar tissue and leaving him struggling to climb stairs. He also had a hip injury. He missed training on Monday, when team physician Prof. Roland Schmidt carried out a thorough examination. The following day he was absent from the pre-match press conference before the Arsenal tie, with assistant coach Aaron Danks standing in for him at the podium and telling reporters that the virus had affected Kompany's legs and caused him pain, adding that getting him to rest was a difficult challenge but that rest was the most important thing.
Despite serious doubts over his fitness, Kompany returned to the dugout for Wednesday's meeting with Arsenal and was present at the post-match press conference. He acknowledged there that he had not listened to the signals from his body, saying he had tried to do everything as a coach, had caught a nasty virus, and that his body had eventually forced him to stop.
Even during the previous weekend's victory over Leipzig, Kompany had been visibly unwell. He delivered his team talk but was forced to lie down on a sofa in his coach's room at both half-time and after the final whistle, and did not conduct post-match media duties.
Bayern director of sport Max Eberl moved swiftly to reassure supporters that the club's primary concern was their manager's welfare. "Vincent Kompany's health is our top priority," Eberl said in a statement. "We at FC Bayern will do everything we can to ensure he makes a speedy recovery. Vinnie is receiving all the necessary medical care and support, and all the time he needs. His coaching team, in whom we have complete confidence, will take over his duties. All of us at FC Bayern wish Vinnie a speedy recovery."
The training session at which Kompany collapsed was abandoned, with those in attendance said to have been deeply affected by the incident. Kompany had earlier taken the first team through a session ahead of Sunday's Bundesliga trip to Freiburg before moving across to observe the reserve side.
Bayern currently sit top of the Bundesliga after four wins and two draws from their opening six matches, level on points with Borussia Dortmund. They face Freiburg on Sunday with Kompany's coaching staff set to take charge of training and matchday operations.
Reporting: ESPN, Evening Standard, Bundesliga (Official), Daily Star, talkSPORT, GiveMeSport, Mirror, Metro, The Sun, Daily Mail.