Harry Kane: Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany reveals secret to England captain's new role - and claims playing against him prompted tactical tweak

Harry Kane scored twice as Bayern Munich beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2 at Allianz Arena to move eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga. Kane has scored 28 league goals this season, and Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany revealed how he gleaned a way of evolving the England captain's positional play through their battles in the Premier League. Kane has been operating in a deeper role.

Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany believes his own experience as an elite player has shaped the way he works with Harry Kane at Allianz Arena.

Since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur in 2023, Kane has flourished, with his latest brace in Bayern's 3-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday taking him to 28 Bundesliga goals for the season.

Yet Kompany is quick to stress that the striker’s value extends beyond his finishing, pointing to his work rate and defensive contribution as vital components of Bayern's collective strength.

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Speaking to Sky Germany, Kompany told former Freiburg manager Christian Streich how Kane's qualities as a playmaker encouraged him to evolve into far more than just a finisher.

"I always try to take my players' profiles into account," Kompany said. "Harry is incredibly smart.

"Of course, he has his specific role when it comes to defending. But when we have possession, it's 50% coaching and 50% simply trusting the player to do the right thing."

Kompany was often tasked with a man-marking job on Kane during his time as a Manchester City stalwart in battles against Spurs, and the Belgian divulged how the lessons he learned from those encounters have been beneficial during their relationship at Bayern.

Kane has scored 28 goals in the Bundesliga this season

Image credit: Getty Images

Kompany added: "I used to be a defender and often played against Harry - but I never saw these qualities because he was always on the highest line. And that was actually quite easy for me to defend against - but don't tell Harry that."

By playing with freedom and not being restricted to spearheading Bayern's attack, Kompany feels Kane's evolution makes for a more fluid threat that has helped him reach a staggering 45 goals for club and country already this season.

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Kompany believes Kane’s tactical intelligence makes him a constant problem for defenders, claiming it is "very difficult" for opponents due to his unpredictability - at times anchoring the centre of the attack, at others drifting into different pockets of space.

That positional movement, he suggests, forces defenders into uncomfortable decisions and disrupts even the most organised back lines.

Kane scored twice as Bayern moved nine points clear

Image credit: Getty Images

"The only thing I demand of him offensively is: when we have a chance to score, where are you? And if he's up front, that's enough for me," added Kompany.

The 32-year-old has already surpassed last season’s output and is now in pursuit of the Bundesliga benchmark established by former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski.

The Pole’s 41-goal haul in the 2020/21 campaign remains the standard for a single season in Germany’s top flight.

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