Vincent Kompany has returned to Bayern Munich’s training ground for the first time since suffering a frightening collapse during a practice session last month.

The Belgian is continuing his recovery as the Bundesliga leaders prepare for their return to action against FC Köln on November 20.

Bayern confirmed on Tuesday that their head coach had been back at the club’s training ground this week, marking an important step in his recovery after the medical scare.
Kompany was discharged from hospital after suffering meningeal irritation, which caused him to collapse during a session involving the club’s second team. He had been recovering from a virus before the incident.

In a statement, Bayern provided an update on the 39-year-old’s condition, confirming that he was also undergoing rehabilitation for a shoulder injury.

“Kompany is on the road to recovery and has been back at the training ground. The head coach is also completing rehab on his injured shoulder there,” the club said.

Bayern did not organise a full training session this week, with most of their senior players away on international duty.

Assistant manager Aaron Danks has taken charge of the team while Kompany continues his recovery, overseeing an encouraging run of results across domestic and European competitions.

Bayern recorded victories over Freiburg, Magdeburg, Atletico Madrid and Mainz during the period, while also playing out a 2-2 draw against German title rivals Borussia Dortmund.

The results have helped the Munich club maintain their position at the top of the Bundesliga ahead of the resumption of league action.

Bayern are scheduled to host FC Köln on November 20, although Kompany’s return to the training ground does not necessarily confirm that he will be back in the dugout for the fixture.

His latest progress, however, offers encouragement for the club as they await the full return of their squad from international duty.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk shows no signs of anxiety about his expiring contract, maintaining a composed attitude about his future at Anfield.

The 35-year-old Netherlands international is set to become a free agent at the end of June 2027. He last extended his stay on Merseyside in April 2025, signing a two-year deal that resolved previous uncertainty, but he has yet to agree to fresh terms this season.

Speaking after Liverpool’s 3-1 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday, the defender offered a calm assessment of his situation.

Van Dijk insisted his focus remains on his immediate on-pitch contributions rather than boardroom negotiations.

“I feel good but it’s not about me at the moment. Let’s see. I’m not in any panic,” Van Dijk stated.

The veteran centre-back expressed complete contentment with his time at the club, regardless of the outcome.

“I want to keep playing and continue what I’m doing. Let’s see what the season brings,” he added. “I’ve had an amazing time already so far. If that will be extended, that’s the case.”

Should the club hierarchy decide against offering a renewal, Van Dijk is prepared to walk away. “If not, then I will go somewhere else. There’s nothing to report at the moment but that doesn’t mean that there’s any stress or anything,” he concluded.
The relaxed stance reflects the security of a player who has already secured his status as a club legend.

Van Dijk stands as one of the last remaining pillars of the dominant Jürgen Klopp era, having joined Liverpool in January 2018.

He anchored the defence that captured the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League and the drought-ending 2019/20 Premier League title.

His medal collection also includes the 2021/22 FA Cup and two EFL Cups won in 2021/22 and 2023/24 under the former German manager. He also won the 2024/25 post-Klopp era Premier League title.

Despite his age, Van Dijk remains indispensable under current head coach Andoni Iraola, playing every available minute in the Premier League this season.

He reinforced that importance during the weekend win over Crystal Palace, helping secure three points through goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz, and Alexander Isak.

Liverpool must now decide whether to commit further funds to their ageing captain or begin transitioning away from their iconic defensive anchor.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has rescheduled the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony to December 2 in Lagos.

CAF announced the new date in a statement on Tuesday, with the event brought forward five days.

Although the football body gave no reason for the change, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly the National Art Theatre, in Lagos, remains the venue for the ceremony.

The event will mark the return of the CAF Awards to Lagos for the first time since the 2014 edition, bringing together leading players, coaches, clubs and other personalities in African football to celebrate their achievements.

A total of 18 categories will be recognised at the ceremony, with the CAF Men’s Player of the Year and CAF Women’s Player of the Year awards among the major honours.

Other categories will recognise outstanding coaches, goalkeepers, emerging talents, clubs and national teams for their performances during the year.

Meanwhile, voting for the 2026 awards is ongoing and will run from November 5 to 20 across the men’s and women’s categories.