Serbia manager Slavoljub Muslin has questioned Rafa Benitez’s man management skills with Aleksandar Mitrovic seemingly in much better form for his country rather than Newcastle United.
Magpies attacker Mitrovic, 22, has scored found the net eight times in his last 10 appearances for Serbia with his goalscoring record at St. James’ Park not looking nearly as handsome.
The former Anderlecht ace has found the net in each of his only two appearances of the new season, but on the way to winning the Championship title last term, he scored just six times in 29 matches across all competitions.
Muslin has now suggested that Mitrovic may not be getting treated correctly by Magpies manager Benitez and has hinted that a change of tactics may be in order to get the best out of him.
“Maybe the system we play with three attackers suits him better,” said Muslin, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
“Perhaps the coach in Newcastle doesn’t have as much confidence in him as I do. He is our first centre forward. Perhaps he feels more comfortable playing for the national team than he does for his own club.”
OPINION
Although it’s quite disrespectful for Muslin to be calling out Benitez on how he handles his players, he may be on to something. Mitrovic has struggled to find the net at St. James’ Park and the Magpies fans have a disputed reputation of placing too much expectancy on their players. Featuring for Serbia may see some pressure lift of Mitrovic’s shoulders, but ultimately he goes from being a second or even third choice striker on Tyneside to being the star man for his nation. Joselu and Dwight Gayle are his two competitors at Newcastle, so maybe a run in the first team over them could see Mitrovic shine.