Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterOver the course of more than a decade, Tim Krul became one of the most popular players at Newcastle United, as he rose through the ranks at St James Park.The Dutch goalkeeper turned out more than 180 times for the Magpies, producing countless memorable moments for the club, before his spell at Tyneside came to a premature end following an injury while on international duty.As the 38-year-old looks back at his career, he has just one lingering regret - not being able to have said his goodbyes to the Newcastle faithful on his terms.Krul on his Newcastle exitBy 2015, Krul had been established as the Newcastle No.1 for five years, but would suffer a serious knee injury while on international duty with the Netherlands.I came for a cross and Virgil van Dijk gave me a little nudge when we went for the same ball, he recalls to FourFourTwo. I was off-balance and tore my ACL. You may like Steve Harper and Shay Given pushed me to the limit. They expected a lot from me and were really on my case Tim Krul on joining Newcastle United as a teenager Kieran Trippier on his 'devastating' Newcastle United exit My penalty heroics against Costa Rica were a dream. Louis van Gaals biggest regret was not repeating it in the semis Tim Krul on the Netherlands World Cup 2014 shootout win Im a believer that things happen for a reason. It changed me as a person. It was a difficult time because it was a long project, especially with new managers coming in.It took more than 14 months to get rid of the pain in my knee. It was mentally very tough.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.During this period, Krul had to combine the physical recovery with a mental battle, as he faced up to the prospect that the injury could even end his career.There are always doubts, he admits. Thats why I had to go back to Holland, on loan with AZ Alkmaar, to get that feeling back.This spell saw him reach the Dutch Cup final, and although his side lost 2-0 to Vitesse Arnhem, it was key in his recovery. What to read next Eddie Howe drops major hint about his Newcastle United future after admitting biggest regret 'I blame myself for Liverpool exit' John Arne Riise on the circumstances which ended his trophy-laden spell at Anfield Why did Kevin Keegan scrap the Newcastle United reserve team in the mid 90s? One of the great man's most controversial moments revisited I had to play. It was a difficult time, but I had a good experience in Holland. Id always wanted to tick that off and got to play a cup final with AZ.The 15-time Netherlands international was then ready to return to St James, only to discover the club had moved in a different direction.Rafa Benitez, the Newcastle manager by that stage, decided he wanted a different keeper and I had to leave through the back door, Krul continues.Thats the only regret, that I was never able to leave organically. I had to force a deal to go to Brighton to save my career, because it wasnt going to happen under Rafa.TOPICSNewcastle UnitedPremier LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromMiles Starforth
