Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa has admitted he used to “cry” at Newcastle while speaking exclusively to ChronicleLive about his disappointing spell at St James’ Park. In January 2013, the Frenchman was dubbed as the long-term successor to Fabricio Coloccini but was shipped out to Roma 18 months later after struggling to settle on Tyneside.
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa said: “It was difficult because I came from the south of France, where the heat is very good, and it was totally different in Newcastle. Sometimes, I used to cry. Not only me but a couple of others, too. It was funny. I opened the window and I didn’t see the sun for maybe three or four days. It was snowing! Also, I speak English now and understand English but, when I was there, when people spoke Geordie to me, it was like Chinese! The first time was strange but when you started to get to know them, you just loved them because they gave you love. They gave you everything.”
