BERLIN, SEPT 27: Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany on Friday laughed off suggestions Saturday's match with Bayer Leverkusen was a personal showdown with visiting opposite number Xabi Alonso.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's top-of-the-table game, Kompany said taking on Alonso -- who Bayern attempted to hire before settling on the Belgian -- was "not at all" motivating him.
"My motivation is that Leverkusen were champions last season and are now coming to the Allianz Arena," said Kompany.
"It's completely normal in this business to have different candidates for the job. It might look like we've got big egos, but I don't care about that at all."
Alonso, who guided Leverkusen to a league and cup double in his first full season coaching at the top level, elected to stay with the champions despite Bayern's interest.
Kompany eventually took over at Bayern after several other candidates, including Julian Nagelsmann, Ralf Rangnick and Oliver Glasner, reportedly rejected their advances.
Despite Leverkusen storming to the league title without losing a match last term, something Bayern have never managed in their history, 38-year-old Kompany said Alonso's side were still underdogs.
"Bayern are always the favourites. We're looking forward to playing against the champions and we want to win," said Kompany. —AFP
