Roberto Mancini has thanked his mentor Vujadin Boskov, after the 82-year-old passed away on Sunday evening.
Roberto Mancini has thanked his mentor Vujadin Boskov, after the 82-year-old passed away on Sunday evening.
The Serbian tactician found considerable success in Italy, coaching Sampdoria to their only Scudetto in 1990-91, as well as lifting two Coppa Italias and a European Cup Winners’ Cup with the Bluerchiati.
And his former striker at the Marassi, has reflected on his time under the idiosyncratic boss.
“That team played football without worries. We were free,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Maybe we weren’t the most talented bunch, but Vujadin reminded us every day that we were nothing without the work of the group.
“It seems like an obvious thing now, but I was a kid when I worked with him, and that lesson was invaluable.
“I want to thank him again today. Boskov made my youth extraordinarily beautiful.
“From here I want to hug all his family and give them some strength.
“I imagine he’s up in heaven now. And if I remember rightly, he’ll be laughing already.”