Behind the scenes at Vasco: Row with Fernando Diniz led to Coutinho’s exit | OneFootball

The real reason behind Philippe Coutinho’s sudden departure from Vasco has finally come to light. According to information revealed by journalist Jorge Nicola on the Canal do Nicola, a serious disagreement with coach Fernando Diniz was the trigger for the midfielder’s contract termination. The incident took place behind the scenes at the stadium during halftime of the match against Volta Redonda, which was valid for the quarterfinals of the Campeonato Carioca. The tense atmosphere reached its limit, making daily coexistence at the training center completely unsustainable.

The conflict began when the coach chose to substitute the number 10 at the start of the second half. The player accepted the tactical decision without initial complaints, but then took an action that deeply displeased the Vasco manager. Instead of returning to the bench to support his teammates for the remainder of the decisive match, the midfielder decided to shower and change clothes in the locker room. This individual choice was interpreted as a lack of commitment to the group fighting for qualification in the demanding state tournament.

+ Força Jovem do Vasco publishes harsh statement against Philippe Coutinho and issues warning to Fernando Diniz

Severe argument and insults in the locker room

The player’s absence from the substitutes’ bench provoked the immediate fury of the Vasco coach. The manager demanded the star’s presence alongside the other substitutes, and the situation quickly escalated into a heated argument away from the eyes of fans and the press. The journalist detailed the insult hurled during the direct clash between the two strong personalities in the football department:

The direct insult shattered any possibility of reconciliation between the coach and the main star of the current squad. The day after the match in the Carioca tournament, Coutinho contacted the board and communicated his irrevocable desire to leave the club. The internal atmosphere was completely ruined, and the player understood there was no longer any room for him to work under the current coaching staff.

Coutinho was reportedly unhappy at Colina and argued with coach Fernando Diniz – Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco

Pressure on the Vasco president and outcome

The conflict sparked intense movement behind the political scenes at São Januário in the following hours. People close to the playmaker’s staff approached president Pedrinho with a bold demand in an attempt to reverse the adverse situation. The group of representatives tried to convince the president to fire the coach, making the star’s stay a bargaining chip for a change in the professional team’s management.

The Vasco president did not comply with the dismissal request and backed his coach’s authority amid the crisis. The firm decision by the presidency sealed the midfielder’s fate, prioritizing the hierarchy and discipline of the squad over the weight of the player’s name. The club continues its journey in the competition with a united group, while the midfielder considers his future in the transfer market away from his formative club.

Pedrinho backed Diniz at Vasco – Photo: VascoTV Reproduction

+ Follow Papo na Colina on social media: Thread, Bluesky, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok and Google News.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.