Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has been given honorary citizenship and feels it was ‘destiny’ he should be diagnosed with leukaemia while working here.

The Serbian tactician wrote in his recent autobiography that he had two birthdays, one in Vukovar on February 20 1969 and the other in Bologna on October 29 2019.

That was the date he received a bone marrow transplant, having already undergone two cycles of chemotherapy, and began the recovery from an aggressive form of leukaemia.

Mihajlovic received the keys to the city of Bologna from Mayor Matteo Lepore today and dedicated this recognition to his family, the team, club and the hospital staff who helped him.

“It was destiny that this illness should manifest while I was in Bologna, where there are some of the best cancer research centres in the world,” said the coach.

“Bologna too was fortunate when calling me in to save the club from relegation, as we finished 10th that season.

“I tell everyone, do not be ashamed if you have a difficult moment in life. That moment too is part of your life.

“We must all learn that you do not live in the absence of problems, but despite the problems.”

Mihajlovic was named an honorary citizen of Bologna and thanked all the inhabitants who rallied round to give support while he was fighting his illness.

He continued to work from his hospital bed, watching training sessions via videolink and giving team talks, even leaving the centre to attend their first match of the 2019-20 season in person on the touchline.

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