DPA
Rottach-Egern (Germany)
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany did not want to comment on the future of some of his players in the wake of remarks from honorary president Uli Hoeness that the club would be selling players before the end of the transfer period.
"Names are not part of my thinking,” new coach Kompany told a news conference at the start of a three-day training camp outside of Munich in Bavaria on Monday.
No comment on Goretzka and others The Belgian was confronted with questions about the future of midfielder Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry as well as which position full back and midfielder Joshua Kimmich is to to play.
"You have spoken about buying and selling. That is not my job,” he told one reporter.
Bayer have spent around €125 million ($136 million) for new players by signing defender Hiroki Ito, midfielder João Palhinha and winger Michael Olise (Crystal Palace).
That will affect the future structure of the team but Kompany insisted: "I won’t deal with it. No chance.”
Kompany added that "I am not here to conduct a news conference about what Uli Hoeness said. I have too much respect for him. But it is my job to concentrate on my work.”
The successor of Thomas Tuchel has 27 players at his disposal for the Rottach-Egern camp as he is tasked to get Bayern back on track after a first season in 12 years without silverware.
"It is important that we show a reaction together. We don’t need to make any big statements,” he said.
Squad not full yet The squad is still depleted, with those playing at Euro 2024 and the Copa America joining at a later stage, and Kompany said the the squad will not yet be complete when they travel to South Korea next week.
Missing players will include Harry Kane from Euro finalists England, French Euro semi-finalists Kingsley Coman and Dayot Upamecano, and Canadian Copa semi-finalist Alphonso Davies.
Bayern start the season on July 16 with a German Cup match at secod division Ulm and have their first Bundesliga match nine days later at Wolfsburg.