Aleksandar Mitrovic has described his time at Newcastle United as difficult, saying he was thankful when manager Rafa Benitez allowed him to join Fulham. The striker, who played for both clubs, made the switch to Fulham in January 2018.
Difficult Years at St James' Park
Mitrovic moved to England in 2015, with Newcastle paying around £13 million to sign him from Belgian side Anderlecht. During his two-and-a-half years at St James' Park, he made 72 appearances, scoring 17 goals and providing 10 assists.
Speaking to BBC Sport in October 2018, Mitrovic said: "It was really hard in Newcastle. It was one city, one club. Everybody there was really crazy about Newcastle." He added: "Sometimes it is nice, but sometimes you want to be quiet and go out with your family. When you are not happy on the field, you just don't want to think about football, [you want to] have your space. In Newcastle, there is no chance."
Thankful to Benitez
Six months earlier, Mitrovic told The Sun he was grateful that Benitez had sanctioned a deadline-day move to Fulham. He said: "Benitez is a good person but in the formation he played, I didn't feel good with his tactics." He added: "Tactically and defensively, he is one of the best coaches I've seen, but offensively it wasn't a style that was good for me. I respected his decisions, I didn't make a problem, I am thankful he let me go and I wish Newcastle all the best."
The move to Fulham, initially on loan, was a last-minute January deadline-day deal after a return to Anderlecht fell through. Fulham beat then Championship rivals Middlesbrough to the signing.
Thriving at Fulham
Mitrovic said of the transfer: "It was so stressful, a nightmare, but I'm so happy God helped me finish up here [Fulham]." He added: "Fulham have been playing great football for two years and it's a very big deal in the Championship to play this style and be without defeat for so long. Fulham didn't give up in the last hour of the transfer window, so I want to win them promotion to the Premier League."
He helped Fulham win the Championship play-offs that season, scoring 12 goals in 17 league appearances as the Cottagers finished third. His move was made permanent that summer. Mitrovic played 206 times for Fulham, scoring 111 goals before moving to Al-Hilal in 2023. Now 32, he plays for Qatari side Al-Rayyan. Newcastle and Fulham meet in Premier League action on Saturday afternoon.
