Mihajlovic: 'Suffering' Jovetic will leave at the end of the season

17-Feb-2013 8:00:00 PM

The former Lazio defender feels the Serbia starlet will move on this summer if he is not made to feel important enough at Stadio Artemio Franchi

Fiorentina attacker Stevan Jovetic is "suffering" and could leave the club at the end of the season, according to Serbia coach Sinisa Mihajlovic.

Jovetic has been linked with the likes of Manchester City and Juventus throughout the current campaign, and the increasing speculation over his future has come as he suffers a dip in form.

Former defender Mihajlovic, who was sacked as la Viola coach last season, believes the 23-year-old may need to change clubs in order to return to the top of his game.

“I consider Jovetic to be one of the best players in Serie A, but right now he is not playing at his level," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I am no longer in Florence, so I cannot say for sure what the problem is. It’s evident he is suffering because of something and if things don’t change I think he’ll leave at the end of the season.

“Jovetic is a sensitive guy and it’s fundamental you know how to deal with him. As with all great champions, he needs to feel important. It means giving him responsibility, but also communicating [to him] that he is one of the best.

“Maybe the problem is that he doesn’t feel as highly considered as he’d like.”

Fiorentina take on Inter at Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday, and Mihajlovic is delighted at the prospect of seeing fellow Slavic players Mateo Kovacic, Adem Ljajic and Zdravko Kuzmanovic take to the field.

“I am pleased to see so many Slavic players in two of the best Serie A teams, regardless of whether they are Serb, Croat, Slovenian or Montenegrin,” he continued.

“When I arrived in Italy there were many of us, then we rather lost our way, but I am glad to see we are back in fashion. After all, these countries have always had many football talents.

“I saw Kovacic play against Cluj and was impressed. He has great character, is a battler with good technique and excellent vision. I understand why Inter paid over €10 million for him, even though he is only 18.”