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Most recently coached at FC Bologna: Siniša Mihajlović
Photo: IMAGO/HOCH ZWEI / Italy Photo Press / IMAGO/HochZwei/Syndication
Former professional soccer player and coach Siniša Mihajlović is dead. The Serb died of leukemia at the age of just 53, according to his family.
In a statement released by the family to Italian media, he was described as a "unique man and an exceptional professional".
The former midfielder belonged to a golden generation of footballers from the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s.
Mihajlović was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2019.
After a bone marrow transplant and three chemotherapies, the former Yugoslav international returned to the coaching bench at FC Bologna in Italy's Serie A, where he spent most of his professional career as a player.
In March of this year he had to be treated again.
After a disappointing start to the season, the club parted ways with Mihajlović, who then did not take on a new engagement with another club.
"He fought bravely against this terrible disease," the family statement said.
The death of the athlete caused grief in Italy.
"You fought like a lion on the pitch and in life," wrote Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Twitter.
"You are and will always be a winner." Other top politicians, athletes and officials also sent their condolences, and FC Bologna tweeted: "Addio Mister, you will live in our hearts forever."
Mihajlović was Italian champion twice
Victory in the 1991 European Cup with Red Star Belgrade marked Mihajlović's greatest club success early on in his career.
A year later he moved to Serie A, where he played for AS Roma, Sampdoria Genoa, Lazio Roma and Inter Milan.
He was always seen as a physical and rough opponent, and he was also a very dangerous free-kick taker.
During this time he won, among other things, the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1999 with Lazio and was champion once each with the capitals (2000) and Inter (2006).
After winning the championship with Inter, he ended his active career.
Mihajlović became a coach and looked after AC Fiorentina, Sampdoria Genoa, AC Milan, Sporting Lisbon in Portugal and, until a few months ago, Bologna.
From 2012 to 2013 he was national coach of Serbia, but his team failed to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil.
ast/kjo/dpa
