Sinisa Mihajlovic wants to give Bologna “belief” of Serie A safety and insists he has “always done better than my predecessors and those who replaced me.”
The tactician returns to the Stadio Dall’Ara after having his first coaching job here in 2008 and he replaces sacked Pippo Inzaghi.
“I am convinced Bologna can avoid relegation,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
Sinisa Mihajlovic wants to give Bologna “belief” of Serie A safety and insists he has “always done better than my predecessors and those who replaced me.”
The tactician returns to the Stadio Dall’Ara after having his first coaching job here in 2008 and he replaces sacked Pippo Inzaghi.
“I am convinced Bologna can avoid relegation,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“It’s a difficult task, but I am confident and believe the players are too. If they aren’t, then I’ll find a way to convince them. If I didn’t believe, I wouldn’t have even come here. I spoke to the squad, we’ll have to rush through some stages, so I asked them for concentration.”
Inzaghi was sacked after a 4-0 home defeat to second-from-bottom Frosinone.
“Bologna hit rock bottom in the last match and I see that in a way as a positive, because the only way is up. Now it’s my job to give them confidence.
“I always try to win and some of the players already know me. We’ve got to be more aggressive, move the centre of the team a good 20-25 metres further forward, not sit deep. Everyone will have to sacrifice themselves for the team.
“I want an honest and fair rapport, because men say things to your face and they appreciate that about me.”
Since starting his solo management career at Bologna in 2008, Mihajlovic has gone on to work on the benches of Catania, Fiorentina, Serbia, Sampdoria, Milan and Torino.
“I was here 10 years ago and was very happy. Bologna is a wonderful city and when I talk to my kids, I always tell them this is the city where we felt happiest. There were a few misunderstandings, but that is water under the bridge and it remains a wonderful memory.”
Mihajlovic had signed for Sporting CP over the summer, but the change of President meant he was dismissed a few days later and has been taking legal action against the club ever since.
“It’s a pity, I was really pleased about that experience, but the new President just wanted to annoy the old one. I am happy with what I’ve done in my career, although at times I arrived at a club at the wrong time. In any case, I’ve always done better than my predecessor and whoever replaced me did worse. That has always been the case.
“I really wanted to get back to work, I couldn’t sit around the house all day anymore. My wife was about to throw me out, for a start…”
Curiously, his first match will be against Inter, the side where he ended his playing career and started out as assistant manager to Roberto Mancini.
“We’ve got to prepare every match the same way, without focusing on the opponent. Press them high, attack, be aggressive. Inter aren’t in great shape at the moment either, so we have to make the most of the tense atmosphere at San Siro.
“This team was built to play with three at the back, but we’re working on 4-3-3 and also 4-2-3-1.”