Philippe Coutinho Opens Up on Liverpool Exit and Career Struggles
Liverpool Echo – 15:04, 18 Apr 2025, Updated 14:32, 19 Apr 2025
Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho has spoken candidly about his departure from Liverpool in 2018 and the challenges he has faced in his career since joining Barcelona. In an exclusive interview with the Liverpool Echo, Coutinho revealed that he has no regrets about leaving the Reds, citing his dream move to the Catalan giants as the reason for his departure.
According to Coutinho, he had lengthy discussions with then-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp about his desire to leave the club. "We had loads of conversations. At that time, I really wanted to move to Barcelona," he recalled. "Klopp and I had many discussions about staying, about leaving. But, eventually, the club agreed to let me go and I joined Barcelona." The 32-year-old joined Barcelona in a club-record £142m transfer, but his time at the Camp Nou did not yield the desired results.
Coutinho’s move to Barcelona was initially successful, with the Brazilian winning a title and impressing with his performances in his first six months. However, his form dipped significantly in the following season, and he struggled to meet his own expectations. "The beginning was really good. My first six months at Barcelona were great. We won a title and I was playing really well," he said. "But the following season, after the World Cup, I was not in the same shape. My performances dipped and that was tough for me."
Coutinho’s struggles at Barcelona led to a loan move to Bayern Munich, where he won the treble but failed to secure a permanent transfer. He later joined Aston Villa, reuniting with former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard, but his time at Villa Park was also marked by underwhelming performances. The Brazilian is currently on loan at his former club, Vasco da Gama, and has admitted that his career has not worked out as planned since leaving Liverpool.
Despite this, Coutinho remains optimistic about his experiences and has no regrets about his decision to join Barcelona. "I had this dream to play for Barcelona. Then the opportunity presented itself and I couldn’t say ‘No’ to my dream," he said. "So, I have no regrets about everything I experienced, all the places I’ve been. I gave my all, was very professional and tried to do my best." Coutinho’s future remains uncertain, with his Aston Villa contract set to expire in 2026.
When asked about his plans for retirement, Coutinho revealed that he hopes to take on a more hands-on role in his own foundation, ‘Instituto Philippe Coutinho’. "When you are in that moment, especially when I had my injury, you end up disbelieving certain things, you have doubts," he said. "But time has passed and thank God, I recovered and didn’t have any consequences from the surgeries I went through. I see myself here (at Instituto Philippe Coutinho), maybe working here with the children, alongside my brothers."
As Coutinho looks to the future, he remains grateful for the experiences he has had throughout his career. The Brazilian’s story serves as a reminder that even the most talented players can face setbacks and challenges in their careers. With his honesty and humility, Coutinho has shown that he is determined to make the most of his remaining years in football and give back to his community through his foundation. (Source: Liverpool Echo)
