Sinisa Mihajlovic dies at the age of 53 after a battle with leukemia

Sinisa Mihajlovic, former Yugoslavia, Lazio and Inter Milan soccer player and ex-AC Milan coach, has died at the age of 53 after a battle with leukemia.

Mihajlovic has succumbed to his illness after a three-year battle, having been in charge of Italian club Bologna three months ago.

He died in a hospital in Rome on Friday.

Sinisa Mihajlovic, pictured as the Bologna boss, has died aged 53 after a battle with leukemia

Mihajlovic photographed during the heyday of his playing career at Lazio, helping them to a Serie A title, two Italian Cup victories and the European Cup Winners’ Cup

Mihajlovic scores a penalty in the Lazio Roma derby in November 1999

Mihajlovic played 63 times and scored 10 goals for Yugoslavia between 1991 and 2003, playing at both the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

In his club career, he played for Red Star Belgrade in his native country before moving to Italy, where he played for prominent Serie A clubs Roma, Sampdoria, Lazio and Inter Milan.

It was his six seasons at Lazio that saw Mihajlovic achieve the greatest success, helping them to the 1999-2000 Serie A title and the 1998-99 European Cup Winners’ Cup.

In the 2005/06 season he won a second Scudetto with Inter and a total of four Italian Cups.

The Italian Premier League club said in a tweet: “Lega Serie A is deeply saddened by the passing of Siniša Mihajlović, an icon of football and life.

Mihajlovic played 63 times and scored 10 goals for Yugoslavia while playing at the 1998 World Cup

He is pictured alongside Italy manager Roberto Mancini (left) and Italy FA President Gabriele Gravina in 2019

“His sheer class as a footballer and coach, his strength and his humanity are an example that has left a lasting mark on Italian and world football.”

Mihajlovic had been on the coaching bench with Bologna three months ago.

He was first diagnosed with an acute form of leukemia in July 2019 but continued his coaching duties at Bologna despite undergoing bone marrow treatment and three cycles of chemotherapy.

Announcing his diagnosis at a press conference, he defiantly said, “I have leukemia, but I will beat it by attacking.”

Unfortunately, he suffered a relapse of the disease back in March, which meant another round of treatment.

Bologna was the final stop in his coaching career, during which he also took the helm of Fiorentina, Sampdoria, AC Milan, Torino, Sporting Lisbon and the Serbian national team.

Mihajlovic was sacked by Bologna in early September after being without a win in the first five games of the Serie A campaign.

He didn’t want to resign voluntarily, so the club made the decision for him.

Mihajlovic has been sacked by Bologna after the Italian club’s winless start to the season

According to a press release from his family: “His wife Arianna with their children Viktorija, Virginia, Miroslav, Dusan and Nikolas, their granddaughter Violante, their mother Vikyorija and their brother Drazen announce with pain the unjust and untimely death of their husband, father, Son and model brother, Sinisa Mihajlovic.

“A unique man, an exceptional professional, available and good for everyone. He bravely fought a terrible disease.

“We thank the doctors and nurses who have followed him with love and respect over the years, especially 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 he gave us.