Ex-Newcastle United striker blasts Rafa Benitez
Former Newcastle United striker Aleksander Mitrovic has opened up on his tough time on Tyneside and his relationship with manager Rafa Benitez.
The Serbian striker completed a move to Fulham after a successful spell on loan for a reported £22 million fee and has hit the ground running for Fulham scoring five goals in his first nine games of the season so far. In an interview with BBC sport Mitrovic opened up on his time at St James' Park.
(Aleksander Mitrovic, Image Credit: The Mag)
Although Mitrovic said he enjoyed his time at Newcastle the fact that Newcastle are a one club city can be very overwhelming.
"It was really hard in Newcastle, it was one city, one club, everybody there was really crazy about Newcastle.
“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." Said Mitrovic.
Mitrovic went on to make claims that him and Newcastle manager Benitez didn't suit each other on the pitch, but admits Benitez was one of the greatest managers tactically he has worked under.
"I didn’t suit his tactics and I didn’t really feel comfortable to play, so he couldn’t get the best out of me, but it is nothing personal – just business.
"We had a good relationship and he is a good guy. Defensively he is one of the best managers that I have worked with."
However, Newcastle this season have scored just five goals and find themselves rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table and only Joselu has managed more than one league goal this season, so it is yet to be seen if the £22 million brought in from the sale of Mitrovic has benefitred the side more than keeping hold of the talented striker.