RIP Sinisa Mihajlovic. The Serbian coach died at the age of 53 after a long battle against leukemia that had lasted since July 2019. Mihajlovic fought the disease with his warrior character to the last without being able to save his life. In early December he made his last public appearance, in Rome, on the occasion of the presentation of a book. Former defender with strong offensive tendencies of Vojvodina, Stella Rossa Belgrade, Roma, Sampdoria, Lazio and Inter, Mihajlovic had become an appreciated coach, remaining on the bench of Bologna, until his dismissal on 6 September. He previously led, among other teams, Milan, Turin, Fiorentina and the Serbian national team. As a footballer, with Lazio, he won the 2000 Scudetto, strongly linked to the city of Rome, where he still lived.

The return of the disease in March
For over three years he was struggling with leukemia: on 13 July 2019, in a press conference, he publicly announced his illness, but without leaving the post of coach of Bologna. Although at a distance, he continued to guide his boys with passion and dedication until returning to the bench, after a few weeks and the apparent recovery. Last March, with a sudden new press conference, Mihajlovic made public the return of evil: “Unfortunately, these diseases are devious and bastard – the words of the Serbian on that occasion – from the last analysis alarming bells have emerged that make us think that leukemia can re-emerge”. After the second forced stop, he was again sitting on the bench of Bologna, until the discharge three months ago. Then the silence of these weeks, some rare apparitions and the terrible news of his untimely death.

The communiqué of the family
“His wife Arianna, with her children Viktorija, Virginia, Miroslav, Dusan and Nikolas, his niece Violante, his mother Vikyorija and his brother Drazen, in pain communicate the unjust and premature death of her husband, father, son and brother exemplary, Sinisa Mihajlovic. Unique extraordinary professional man, helpful and good with everyone. He bravely struggled against a horrible disease. We thank the doctors and nurses who have followed him in these years, with love and respect, in particular Francesca Bonifazi, Antonio Curti, Prof. Alessandro Rambaldi, and Dott. Luca Marchetti. Sinisa will always be with us. I live with all the love he has given us”.

Fiorentina with mourning on her arm
To commemorate and commemorate Sinisa Mihajlovic, Fiorentina will play the friendly match scheduled for tomorrow at 15 at the Stadio Franchi against Monaco. A minute’s silence will also be observed before the race.

The memory of Sven Goran Eriksson
“He was a winning player. Coming in second for him didn’t exist. He was a generous and very smart player. He helped everyone in the team, especially the younger ones. It’s sad, today it’s sad”. So, to the microphones of Sky Sport, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Lazio coach champion of Italy 2000, about the death of Sinisa Mihajlovic. In the Capitoline team of those years one of the leaders was the Serbian, who died today. “He was a great coach already when he was a player. He and Mancini talked a lot: they were two coaches on the field. Sinisa was positive, always cheerful. It was a huge pleasure to work with him,” he added.

Gravina’s words after Mihajlovic’s disappearance
“I am deeply saddened, it is a sad day for Italian football”. This was stated by the president of the FIGC, Gabriele Gravina, to the nostalgia of the death of Sinisa Mihajlovic. The FIGC remembers him on his website with a photo that shows him holding the blue jersey and the words ’11 Mihajlovic’ between Gravina and the blue coach, Roberto Mancini. “Sinisa – underlines Gravina – has been a protagonist on and off the field, an example of passion, determination and courage, able to inspire and excite. Mihajlovic was a true champion as a footballer, as a coach, but above all as a person. In an age often marked by falsehood, he has always been able to put the truth first, not hiding its defects and weaknesses. This is also why his positive witness of life must be remembered”.

The moving memory of Abodi
“Sinisa Mihajlovic represented the fight against evil, the attempt to win it. My thoughts go not only to him but to all those who fight against difficult diseases so that the defeat of a warrior is not the sign of a surrender”. This was said by the Minister of Sport, Andrea Abodi, from the stage of the tenth anniversary of Fratelli d’Italia, recalling the Serbian coach who died today at 53, after the long fight against leukaemia.

Press release of the Serbian Football Association
“Sad news for Serbian football, the country, Europe and the world of football: Sinisa Mihajlovic is dead. Football lost too soon his majesty, champion of Europe and the world, one of the best players on the free kicks in the history of football, player, coach and selector, a man who left a deep mark in the history of Serbian and Italian football with his career”. So in a note the Serbian Football Association, in remembering the coach Sinisa mihajlovic, who died today at the age of 53. ” Sinisa won many battles in his life, he won great trophies, it seemed that he won the most important one, against a serious illness, but hope also died. She died when we thought that with her strength, her charisma and her optimism, she would be able to overcome the evil disease for the second time. The football world is now in tears, but Sinisa would not want those tears to be seen. The champions do not die”, he added. ” The Serbian Football Association expresses its deepest condolences to the family of Sinisa Mihajlovic. To him eternal glory and praise”, concludes the note of the Serbian Football Association.