Bayern Munich's Philippe Coutinho: "Jürgen Klopp told me the Bundesliga's a great league"
Philippe Coutinho says he received a message of encouragement from his former boss at Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp, following his arrival at Bayern Munich this summer.
The Brazilian playmaker joined Niko Kovac's side on a season-long loan from Barcelona in August and has been an instant hit in Munich.
He made his Bundesliga debut in the 3-0 win away to Schalke on Matchday 2 before being handed his first start the following week for the 6-1 romp over Mainz - and in between times scored his first goal for the club in a friendly match.
Watch: Coutinho settling into life in Munich
Klopp, now at Liverpool following seven years as Borussia Dortmund head coach from 2008 to 2015, knows all about Bayern from his regular tussles with them over the years, and was swift to congratulate Coutinho on his move to the Allianz Arena.
"He sent me a message and wished me all the best," Coutinho told Sport Bild. "He said that Bayern are a great club, that the Bundesliga's a great league and that he's very happy to see me here."
Bayern's new No.10 himself is likewise delighted to be in Germany, citing Bayern's "strong team with many good players", and has set himself lofty aims for his debut season.
"It's my dream to win the league title, the DFB Cup and the Champions League," he said. "It doesn't matter who we play against, I just want to help the team."
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His integration has been aided by one of the players who will be his most fierce competitors for a place in attacking midfield: Thomas Müller. Be that as it may, the 29-year-old, famed for his laid-back persona, has welcomed the Brazilian with open arms.
"He received me really well," Coutinho said. "He's an idol in Munich and in Germany, and is a player everyone knows all over the world. He's made my start to life here very pleasant."
Life in the Bundesliga could become even more agreeable for Coutinho this weekend, with Bayern travelling to RB Leipzig on Saturday evening for Matchday 4's headline clash, where victory for the visitors would allow them to leapfrog their hosts and take over at the league summit.
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