Bundesliga
Coutinho: "I'd like to stay at Bayern Munich"
Philippe Coutinho has given Bayern Munich fans an early Christmas present by telling them he would love to extend his stay at their club beyond this season.
In search of game time after a difficult 2018/19 campaign at Barcelona, Coutinho made the switch to Bayern last summer on a 12-month loan deal.
The Brazil international has adapted quickly to his new surroundings, netting three times and providing three assists in 12 league matches so far. Two more assists have been registered in the UEFA Champions League to help Bayern into the knockout stages, and Coutinho is open to helping contribute to the record German champions' success in the years to come.
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"It's planned that I stay a year here. I'm focussing on that time," said the 27-year-old, who signed a five-and-a-half year deal with Barca when he left Liverpool in January 2018. "I feel good here. If everything goes well, I really would like to stay."
Coutinho was settling in happily under Niko Kovac until the Matchday 10 rout by Eintracht Frankfurt led to the ex-Hertha Berlin and Croatia coach being replaced by Hansi Flick.
The former Germany assistant coach has handed Coutinho just one league start since taking over at the Allianz Riviera, but the attacking midfielder insisted the switch has been positive for everyone.
"The change was a breath of fresh air for the team," he told Bayern fans at a supporters association Christmas party. "We are motivated again. The atmosphere has completely changed. That's the big difference for me."