Serie A Legend and Former Coach Mihajlovic Has Died

Former Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has passed away at age 53 after a lengthy battle with leukemia. “An unjust and premature death,” his family told Ansa announcing the tragic news.

Their statement reads.

“A unique and extraordinary professional, available and good-natured toward anybody. He courageously fought against a horrible disease. He’ll will always stay with us with all the love he gifted us.”

Born in Vukovar in 1969, Mihajlovic played for nearly 20 years, starring primarily with Vojvodina, Crvena Zvezda Belgarde, Roma, Sampdoria, and Lazio before finishing his career with Inter. He collected 63 appearances with his national team, which he also coached in 2012/2013.

He got his start on the bench with the Nerazzurri, as an assistant to Roberto Mancini, contributing to two Scudetti. Bologna hired him in 2008, and he helmed multiple Serie A sides, such as Catania, Fiorentina, and Sampdoria, until reaching Milan in 2015. He also managed Torino and Sporting Cp before heading back to Emilia, which he led up until September.

As a player, Mihajlovic won the Serbian league three times, Serie A twice, and Coppa Italia on four occasions, with Inter and Lazio. He was part of the legendary Red Star Belgrade team that took home the European Cup and Intercontinental Cup in 1991. His international accolades include the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and the UEFA Supercup with the Biancocelesti.

The former defender was named the Serbian coach of the year in 2019. He finished 7th in his best Serie A season with Sampdoria, which convinced Milan to appoint him. He holds the Serie A record for most goals scored free kicks since 1987, having bagged 28, including a hat-trick on December 13th, 1998. He was diagnosed with leukemia in July 2019.

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