Bologna players pay tribute to their former coach Sinisa Mihajlovic on social media: ‘Thank you for always believing in me, especially when others didn’t,’ wrote Marko Arnautovic.
Mihajlovic’s family confirmed his death today, Friday, December 16 2022.
The 53-year-old had been diagnosed with leukaemia twice in the last three years. The illness returned in March, when the Serbian coach took a second break from coaching, although he formally remained in charge of the Rossoblu.
He was sacked at the beginning of September following a poor start to the season and was replaced by Thiago Motta.
He’s had an incredibly solid bond with Bologna and their players. He first announced the illness in 2019, only a few months after signing his contract with the Rossoblu and helping the team avoid relegation in Serie B.
Nevertheless, he continued to follow the team while undergoing treatment and chemotherapy and surprisingly followed the first match of 2019-20 from the bench in a 1-1 draw against at Hellas Verona although doctors had warned him not to join his team.
This past April, players gathered under Mihajlovic’s hospital in Bologna after a famous win against Inter at the Stadio Dall’Ara.
They would never imagine that today they’d be saying goodbye on social media. Most of them shared Bologna’s Instagram post in their stories with a message for Mihajlovic.
Among them Aaron Hickey and Takehiro Tomiyasu, who made their Serie A debut under the 53-year-old at Bologna.
The Japan international signed for Arsenal in 2021, while Hickey joined Brentford last summer.
Tomiyasu shared a message in Italian saying he ‘learned a lot’ from the Serbian coach. Hicky said: “Thank you for everything you gave me.”
Riccardo Orsolini: “All the things we told each other, all the advice, arguments, laughs and jokes. I will forever bring these things into my heart. You raised me, as a man and as a footballer, making me fulfil my childhood dreams. I will forever be grateful for that. Rest in peace lion, we will never forget you.”
Roberto Soriano: “You will always have a SPECIAL place in my heart. Thanks for everything Mister.”
