Philip Billing has explained that he left AFC Bournemouth for FC Midtjylland in August because he was “desperate to get away” and reignite his football career.
The Danish midfielder, who joined Bournemouth in 2019, found himself sidelined under Andoni Iraola and says his passion for the game had begun to fade after a frustrating spell in England and an underwhelming loan at Napoli.
Speaking to TV2 Sport’s Totalfodbold, with quotes relayed by Tipsbladet, Billing admitted he had reached a breaking point by the end of last season.
“I was fed up… I was desperate to get away”
Billing said that after returning from Italy in the summer, he quickly realised that he had no future under Iraola and needed a fresh start to avoid losing his love for football.
“I didn’t have the joy of football in the same way in England. I was in Napoli for six months, and then I came back to Bournemouth, but nothing really happened, and then I felt like if I ended up staying two more years, I would end up quitting. I was fed up with being there, and so I was desperate to get away.” — Philip Billing, via TV2 Sport
The 28-year-old said the move to FC Midtjylland, his first Danish club, has given him a renewed sense of purpose and motivation after a difficult two years abroad.
Struggles under Iraola led to exit
Billing had been a key player for Bournemouth for several seasons, but his role diminished dramatically following Andoni Iraola’s arrival as manager in June 2023.
After featuring regularly under previous bosses, he saw his minutes drop sharply in 2024 and was sent out on loan to Napoli in January, where he also struggled to make an impact.
Returning to the Cherries in the summer with two years left on his contract, Billing concluded that remaining at the Vitality Stadium would only stall his career.
Midtjylland move revives his form
Since joining Midtjylland in August, Billing has become a central figure in the team and is back to enjoying his football. He has played consistently in both the Danish Superliga and European competition, helping the club maintain strong form this season.
| Stat (2025/26) | Philip Billing |
|---|---|
| Club | FC Midtjylland |
| Appearances | 12 |
| Minutes Played | 941 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 1 |
source: Sofascore – 29 October 2025
The midfielder appears revitalised since returning to Denmark, regaining fitness and rhythm while becoming a key part of Midtjylland’s midfield setup.
Our View
In our view, Billing’s honesty about his struggles at Bournemouth highlights how quickly a player’s situation can deteriorate when trust from management disappears. His decision to move back to Denmark was clearly the right one — both for his form and his mental health.
At 28, Billing still has several prime years ahead of him, and if his form continues, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him earn a recall to the Danish national team or even attract interest from top European clubs again.
Key Insights
- Philip Billing left Bournemouth for FC Midtjylland to “save” his career.
- The midfielder says he had “lost joy” for football in England.
- Billing was frozen out under Andoni Iraola and loaned to Napoli in 2024.
- He has now played 11 matches and over 880 minutes for Midtjylland this season.
- The 28-year-old feels rejuvenated and focused on his football again.
What’s Next
Billing is expected to remain a fixture in Midtjylland’s midfield as they chase a strong finish in the Danish Superliga. His form will also be closely watched by national team scouts ahead of the next international window.
👉 Did Philip Billing make the right call leaving Bournemouth for Denmark?
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