Sinisa Mihajlovic has died. The former Serbian footballer and coach had 53 years.
“His wife Arianna, with their children Viktorija, Virginia, Miroslav, Dusan and Nikolas, their niece Violante, their mother Vikyorija and their brother Drazen, in pain communicate the unjust and premature death of her exemplary husband, father, son and brother, Sinisa Mihajlovic,” reads the family statement published by Ansa.
Mihajlovic had been hospitalized since Sunday 11 December at the Paideia clinic in Rome for an infection that had become serious due to the immune system compromised by leukemia and heavy therapies. On Monday the 12th his conditions degenerated and the former Lazio and Roma footballer, as well as the former coach of many clubs in Serie A, went into a pharmacological coma in the late afternoon. Surrounded by his family, he passed away today.
“A unique man and an extraordinary professional, available and good to everyone – continues the statement from the Mihajlovic family -. He bravely fought against a horrible disease. We thank the doctors and nurses who have followed him in recent years, with love and respect, in particular Dr. Francesca Bonifazi, Dr. Antonio Curti, Prof. Alessandro Rambaldi, and Dr. Luca Marchetti. Sinisa will always stay with us. I live with all the love that she gave us ”.
Acute myeloid leukemia had struck him in 2019. After defeating it for the first time, on March 26, during a press conference, Mihajlovic explained that he would have to undergo a new round of treatments for a return of the disease.
A life in football
A life spent on the football fields, first as a player, then as a coach. In Italy Mihajlovic played two seasons for Roma (1992-1994) and then moved to Sampdoria (until 1998), Lazio (1998-2004) and Inter (2004-2006). As a coach he sat on the benches of Inter, Bologna, Catania, Fiorentina, Serbia, Sampdoria, Milan and Turin. After a season spent coaching Sporting Lisbon he returned to coach Bologna.
Many career victories: European and world champion in 1991; champion of Italy and winner of a Cup Winners' Cup with Lazio between 1998 and 2000. he He won 4 Italian Cups, two with Lazio and two with Inter.
