Philippe Coutinho's Contract to Be Ripped Up as Jurgen Klopp Proved Right

Philippe Coutinho's much-maligned career trajectory has taken another downturn, with reports emerging that his current contract with Vasco da Gama is set to be terminated prematurely. The former Liverpool star, once hailed as a £100m wonderkid under Jurgen Klopp's predecessor, is now seeking an exit after facing intense backlash from fans at his Brazilian hometown club[1][3].

Coutinho, who shone brightly at Liverpool before a controversial £142m move to Barcelona in 2018, has struggled to recapture his magic since. After loans to Bayern Munich and a permanent switch to Aston Villa in 2022—where he reunited with ex-Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard—his form dipped further. A stint in Qatar with Al-Duhail preceded his 2024 return to Vasco da Gama, the club where he rose through the youth ranks[1].

Despite netting 17 goals in 80 appearances for Vasco, recent weeks have been brutal. In his last outing, Coutinho was booed by his own supporters, compounded by scathing media criticism. This "wave of criticism" prompted him to directly inform club president Pedrinho of his desire to end his deal, which originally ran until June 2026. Negotiations for an extension had been underway, but his mindset is now described as "irreversible," shocking Vasco's management who tried to dissuade him[1][2].

Jurgen Klopp's past skepticism about Coutinho's big-money exit now appears prophetic. The German manager had warned that leaving Anfield mid-dynasty would haunt the playmaker, and years later, Coutinho remains a nomadic figure without the consistency to match his talent. Liverpool fans, who once adored his flair, will see this as vindication of Klopp's vision for the club's future[3].

Looking ahead, Coutinho could attract Saudi Pro League interest from the Public Investment Fund, eye MLS opportunities in the US, or stay in Brazil. At 33, time is running out for redemption, but his saga underscores the perils of chasing glamour over stability[1].

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