John Heitinga insists he has no regrets about joining Fulham, even though Rene Meulensteen was sacked just two weeks after bringing him to Craven Cottage.
Meulensteen persuaded fellow Dutchman Heitinga to sign from Everton on a free transfer in January but he was replaced by Felix Magath two games later.
Despite a managerial change so soon into his Fulham career and his new side being rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, Heitinga remains convinced he made the right decision. The defender, who has started both games since Magath took over, is determined to help Fulham avoid relegation and boost his chances of being selected in the Holland squad for the World Cup.
“I had a few other options but Fulham was a good decision and still is a good decision,” said Heitinga, who signed a contract until the end of the season after turning down a move to West Ham.
“Felix has done really well in the past with his former teams. He is a tough manager, he makes you work really hard and that is what we need at the moment. The main thing for me is to get [playing] time, keep Fulham in the Premier League and make the World Cup.”
Fulham are four points from safety and travel to 19th-placed Cardiff on Saturday in a crucial game at the bottom of the table.
Heitinga said: “I knew before I signed here that this was going to be a tough period. We know that we are in a situation where we need to win and stick together.”
