Vincent Kompany remains fully focused on Bayern Munich after being linked with a return to Manchester City ahead of Wednesday's DFB-Pokal clash with Union Berlin.

Kompany spent 11 trophy-laden seasons as a player with the Citizens from 2008 to 2019, winning 12 major honours including four Premier League titles and two FA Cups. 

The former Belgium international retired in 2020 before heading into management, where he has taken charge of Anderlecht, Burnley and now Bayern. 

Kompany led the Bundesliga giants to the title in his first season at the helm in 2024-25, and his team sit top of the division again after 12 games of the current campaign. 

But the 39-year-old has been linked with a return to Manchester, after former Bayern president Uli Hoeness said Pep Guardiola had informed Kompany he would be his successor as City manager.

Kompany made 62 appearances in all competitions under Guardiola at City during their time together between 2016 and 2019, but he said his commitment remains in Bavaria. 

"I have huge respect for him. But in football I can't think that far ahead, my focus is on Bayern and what we can achieve now," Kompany told reporters. 

"I like to live in the world I have in front of me now, that takes up all my time. I have zero thoughts about other teams. I only see Bayern."

Bayern had been in eye-catching form in 2025-26 but have experienced their first bump in the road, which started with a 2-2 draw with Union in the league last month. 

They were then dealt their first defeat of the season in the Champions League last week as they lost 3-1 to Arsenal, with their fragilities also on show in their last two Bundesliga outings.

Despite beating Freiburg 6-2, they had to come from two goals down at the Allianz Arena, while stoppage-time strikes from Luis Diaz and Nicolas Jackson helped them overcome St. Pauli 3-1 last time out.

"We started the season by scoring three goals in the first 20 minutes. It was to be expected that would change," Kompany added.

"But falling behind is something we're working on, putting a greater focus on.

"I still think it's normal circumstances but, if it starts to become a pattern, we'll have to work on breaking through that.

"But the last 20 games we've usually led 3-0 after 20 minutes, that's been the case much more often."

Bayern's attentions turn to cup action this week, with the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei the venue for their DFB-Pokal clash with Union. 

Bayern have won the competition more than any other team (20 times), though their most recent success came five years ago when they beat Bayer Leverkusen in the final. 

Indeed, Bayern were eliminated in the round of the last 16 of last season's DFB-Pokal and have only reached the quarter-finals in one of the last five seasons (in 2022-23).

In the 13 campaigns before that, Bayern had always reached at least the quarter-finals, and Kompany is aiming to end their barren run this time around. 

"At the end of the season, we'd like to have this pressure again, even more," Kompany said.

"We want to put in a good performance and win – we're prepared for anything, for 90 minutes or another 30. It's positive pressure.

"You can always say you want to win everything – but it takes work and attitude. If we show tomorrow how hungry we are for the final, then we have a good chance."