While the New England Revolution’s new head coach, Marko Mitrović, will tell you that he lives and breathes soccer, there is much more to the Serbian manager who has now made New England home.
1. He’s a language wiz
While Mitrović has clearly taken after his engineer father with a mathematical brain and tactical acumen, he has also adopted some language skills from his linguist mother. The 47-year-old manager speaks at least four languages: Serbian, Russian, and English fluently, and Spanish conversationally.
Although he doesn’t claim fluency in Spanish, he knows enough to communicate with Spanish speakers on the pitch with ease. He’s also familiar with several dialects similar to Serbian, like Croatian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin.
This all likely reflects the fact that his family has now lived in six different countries.
2. Revved up on espresso
The magic beans in coach’s pocket? That’s espresso.
The gaffer is a firm believer in the power of a good cup of coffee, claiming to have at least four espresso shots per day.
While he does love a quick caffeine kick, he also appreciates taking a moment to be present. In fact, he insists on a mid-day “cafecito” break for him and his staff. To Mitrović, it’s not only a time to recharge his energy, but also a chance to take a step back and share meaningful moments with his crew.
3. Soccer is a family affair
Although Mitrović didn’t grow up in a family of athletes and discovered his love of football on his own, it’s now a passion that he’s been able to pass down to each of his three children.
Not a family keen on just watching TV, Mitrović said he and his kids would spend most of their free time kicking around a soccer ball in the front yard. It’s a hobby that stuck, with his eldest son, Mitar, playing three years of college soccer at Marquette University before joining the University of Michigan as a graduate student; his other son, Matija, competing professionally with Vitória SC in Portugal; and his daughter, Mia, playing competitively for her local club.
4. He’s no stranger to the Revs’ roster
Mitrović began his MLS journey in 2016, when he joined Chicago Fire FC as an assistant coach under fellow Serbian Veljko Paunović. In his time with the Fire, Mitrović had the chance to coach midfielder Matt Polster for a little more than two years.
New England’s new head coach also spent a little more than three years working with U.S. Soccer, where he crossed paths with goalkeeper Matt Turner, and most recently led Peyton Miller at the FIFA U-20 World Cup as the head coach of the United States Under-20 team.
5. Winter means skiing
Mitrović is an avid skier. Hailing from snowy Serbia, skiing was a popular way to enjoy the colder months. While he’s spent the past few years living with his family in Chicago, he’s eager for the chance to enjoy a New England winter. As he’s got a lot of work ahead, he’s hopeful for some time to experience skiing the East.
