On the recommendation of former Eastern fullback Enson Kwok Shung-ngai, who played with Mitrovic for Serbian club Timok Zajecar, Losada contacted the 26-year-old.
“They saw my CV and highlights … then took a risk and gave me a chance,” said Mitrovic, who was playing for FK Jedinstvo Surcin in Serbia’s third division. “I couldn’t be more grateful and I want to repay them.”
“Chino [Losada] is the best coach I’ve had: he’s patient with players and has a lot of knowledge,” Mitrovic said.
“We play from the back, which I love. I try to not miss any passes. I want to be someone they can count on to defend well and score some goals.”
Mitrovic, who has played in the second tiers of Croatia, Slovakia and his native Serbia, is uncertain over his future, but would like to stay after this season.
“The level in Hong Kong is probably somewhere between the Serbian first and second divisions, but it’s much more professional here – people take football more seriously,” he added.
Despite relocating to Hong Kong alone, Mitrovic said “there wasn’t any doubt in my mind” over coming.
“I’m not sentimental – as long as I know my family are safe, I don’t need to always be with them,” he said. “I already feel at home, better than in Serbia – everyone is so nice to me.”
Losada, meanwhile, said his treble-hunting team were playing without the burden of expectation.
“If something else good comes, it’s extra, but if there’s nothing more, it’s still a fantastic season,” he said.
In the wake of heavyweight local clubs Lee Man and Kitchee parting ways with their head coaches, Matt Holland and Edgar Cardoso, respectively, Losada said his own bosses remained happy “as long as our work is honest … and we give everything”.
“They see our results: it’s not only about winning, it’s the passion and our way of playing,” he added. “The commitment the players have is because they believe in something.”
https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3306921/easterns-aleksandar-mitrovic-expects-war-tai-po-hong-kong-fa-cup-semi-final