Kompany likens Bayern's Michael Olise to former teammate Kevin De Bruyne
Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany has drawn a direct comparison between his star winger Michael Olise and Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne, a player he knows well from their time together at the Etihad. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Kompany highlighted Olise's elite mentality and technical quality, suggesting the 24-year-old shares traits with one of the Premier League's greatest creators.
Kompany, who played alongside De Bruyne for four seasons at City, pointed to Olise's demanding nature and dedication to improvement. "His mindset is what makes him so special," Kompany said. "He's a lad who works with great attention to detail, who also gets frustrated sometimes when things don't work out 100 percent. But as a coach, you're also very challenged because you have to think at the very highest level."
The Belgian coach then made the explicit comparison. "I've always compared him to Kevin De Bruyne – I always think I see that in him," Kompany stated. "What Michael does, the way he shoots, he dribbles, right and left foot, I feel like I've seen that in a player before. I'm sure he'll get even better and make Bayern even better in the future."
Olise joined Bayern from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2024, completing a major transfer to the Bundesliga giants. While the exact fee was not disclosed by the clubs, widespread reports at the time indicated Bayern triggered a release clause in the region of €60 million. The move followed a standout season in the Premier League where his creativity and goal threat made him one of the most sought-after young attackers in Europe.
His adaptation in Germany has been remarkably swift. According to statistics cited by the club, Olise has already contributed 16 goals and 27 assists in just 39 appearances across all competitions this season. This immediate impact has solidified his status as a key figure in Kompany's new-look Bayern side, which is aiming to reclaim the Bundesliga title.
The comparison to De Bruyne, a two-time PFA Player of the Year and a defining midfielder of his generation, sets a lofty benchmark. However, it underscores the level of performance and potential Bayern believes they have acquired. For Olise, the move represented a significant step up in club stature and ambition, while for Bayern, it was a statement signing aimed at injecting youthful, dynamic talent into their attacking ranks.
Kompany's comments serve as a strong public endorsement of a player who is quickly becoming central to his project. With Bayern competing on multiple fronts, Olise's continued development under a coach who sees such high-level parallels will be crucial to their success this season and beyond.
