Fulham star Aleksandar Mitrovic explains why Slavisa Jokanovic exit is unwelcomed news for him
The striker was signed by Jokanovic this summer following a loan spell at Craven Cottage last season - but the Fulham star will have to adapt to life under a new manager
FULHAM STRIKER Aleksandar Mitrovic admitted the departure of Slavisa Jokanovic was ‘bad news’ for him.
Jokanovic became the Premier League’s first managerial departure of the season as his Fulham side sit rock bottom of the table.
The Serbian boss managed just one win in 12 games with the Craven Cottage side managing to secure only five league points.
Mitrovic, who is Fulham’s leading goalscorer in the league netting five times, told the departure of his countrymen is unwelcomed news to him.
He said: “It’s bad news for me, since everyone knows what impact he had on me and on my career in the previous year – and the year after.
“He did a lot for my career, we heard yesterday, I can say that it is heavier for me.”
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Jokanovic has already been replaced as Fulham appointed Claudio Ranieri as he predecessor.
Ranieri achieved the unbelievable feat of winning the Premier League with Leicester in 2017 despite being 5000/1 underdogs to lift the trophy at the beginning of the season.
The new Fulham boss is experienced in West London as Ranieri managed Chelsea from 2000-2004, before being replaced by Jose Mourinho.
Incidentally, during Ranieri's first transfer window at Stamford Bridge he bought Jokanovic to the Premier League from Real Deportivo in 2000.
Despite Mitrovic’s frustration at the departure of Jokanovic, the striker acknowledged his new manager comes with great experience.
Mitrovic said: “(Ranieri) has a lot of experience, he won the Premier League with Leicester and worked at big clubs. I’m happy to get to know him and I hope he will help us get out of the crisis.”
Fulham spent a massive £100million in a summer transfer raid that brought the likes of Jean Michael Seri, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Alfie Mawson and Andre Schurrle to West London.
After the international break Ranieri will take his first game in charge for Fulham against relegation rivals Southampton.