Bayern Munich formally bid farewell to Brazil playmaker Philippe Coutinho Wednesday after his year-long loan deal from Barcelona expired with the newly-crowned European champion declining, as expected, to sign him permanently.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge made it clear last month they would not bring Coutinho to Munich permanently.
The 28-year old rebooted his career in Bavaria after a frustrating period in Barca following his high-profile transfer from Liverpool in 2018.
Coutinho netted 11 goals, creating nine more, in 38 games for Bayern, including scoring twice in the 8-2 mauling the Germans handed his club Barca in the jaw-dropping Champions League quarter-final.
He also came on as a second-half replacement in Bayern's 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Lisbon final.
Coutinho struggled to make the starting side in Munich once Bayern head coach Hansi Flick replaced Niko Kovac last November, preferring Thomas Mueller in the attacking midfield role at the Brazilian's expense.
Having paid 8.5m euros ($10m) to have Coutinho on loan, Bayern opted not to use the buy option of 120m euros.
However, Coutinho seems to have a future in Barca.
New head coach Ronald Koeman reportedly phoned him Monday to assure the Brazilian he is part of his planning for the coming season.
