Vincent Kompany steps in as impromptu translator at Bayern Munich press conference in South Korea
Bayern Munich’s Asian summer tour took an unexpected turn on August 4, 2026, when head coach Vincent Kompany became the club’s on‑the‑spot translator during a press conference in Seoul. The local interpreter, hired to bridge German journalists and Korean media, admitted she could only translate from English to Korean, leaving a flood of German‑language questions unanswered.
Kompany, who was already juggling his debut press briefing of the new season, laughed and offered a solution: “And who will translate the German questions for Min‑jae?” He then proceeded to translate each German query into English for South Korean defender Kim Min‑jae, who was sitting beside him. The makeshift translation continued throughout the session, covering topics ranging from defensive competition to personal preferences for teammates such as Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah.
The unusual arrangement sparked amusement among the press corps. Two journalists from Germany’s described the event as “the most bizarre press conference we have seen in years.” Kompany kept the mood light, joking that he wasn’t sure the interpreter’s Korean rendition was accurate but that he would finish his answer regardless: “I don’t know if what she’s saying is correct, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll finish my answer and we’ll see what happens.”
His quick wit and calm demeanor turned what could have been an awkward situation into a half‑hour of laughter and camaraderie. Even the post‑conference cake ceremony featured a grin from the Belgian‑born coach, underscoring his ability to keep the team’s image polished despite logistical hiccups.
The incident came as Bayern prepared to face K‑League side Jeju United later that afternoon, a match that will see stars like Michael Olise and Harry Kane still on the sidelines until the Asian tour concludes. The club’s next major test will be the German Supercup against Borussia Dortmund on August 22.
While the translation mishap was a minor logistical slip, it highlighted Kompany’s leadership style – adaptable, humorous, and unflappable – qualities that Bayern hopes will translate into success on the pitch as they chase trophies across Europe.