‘A day I never wanted to live’: Italy boss Roberto Mancini pays tribute to Sinisa Mihajlovic after his death at 53 as he praises his former assistant coach for ‘fighting like a lion’ – saying he will ‘always stay by my side’
Roberto Mancini has offered a heartfelt tribute to former team-mate Sinisa Mihajlovic, after the former Bologna boss’ three-year battle with Leukaemia tragically came to an end on Friday morning.
The Serbian manager was diagnosed with the disease in 2019 and had continued as Bologna coach up until the start of the 2022-23 season as he managed his condition, before leaving his role.
The legendary Lazio and Yugoslavia defender’s death has sparked tributes from across the football world, and his long association with Italian football has left an earthquake of emotions reverberating across the country.
Roberto Mancini (left) paid tribute to his former assistant manager Sinisa Mihajlovic (right) following his death at just 53
‘A day I never wanted to live,’ Italy boss Mancini told TMW. ‘Goodbye Sinisa, my friend. You fought like a lion, you will always stay by my side.
‘This is a day I never wanted to live, because I lost a friend with whom I shared almost 30 years of my life, on and off the pitch.
‘It is not fair that such an atrocious disease took away a 53-year-old guy who fought until the last moment like a lion, as he was used to doing on the pitch.
‘And that is exactly how Sinisa will forever remain by my side, even if he is gone, as he did in Genoa, Rome and Milan and later even when we took different paths.’
The former Yugoslavia defender’s most recent appointment was at Bologna from which he was dismissed earlier in the 2022-23 season
Mancini played alongside Mihajlovic 152 times for Lazio and Sampdoria, with the duo combining for six goals in that time.
In arguably Lazio’s greatest period of success, they were both part of the side that won a European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1998-99 and a Serie A title in 1999-2000.
Mancini then appointed the former defender as his assistant manager whilst in charge of Inter between 2006 and 2008 – his first managerial appointment.
Individually, Mihajlovic was at the heart of the Red Star Belgrade defence that won the European Cup in 1990-91 and would represent Yugoslavia 63 times, scoring nine goals in that time.
Mihajlovic (third from left, back row) and Mancini (second right, front row) played 152 games together at Sampdoria and Lazio
And having spent the majority of his club career in Italy, several Azzurri and Serie A legends have been quick to honour Mihajlovic in touching social media posts.
The iconic former AC Milan defender Franco Baresi said: ‘Bye warrior you fought head high to the end real man. RIP.’
Former Italy and Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo, who played under Mihajlovic as his manager also paid tribute, by tweeting: ‘You fought on the pitch and in life with determination and dignity.
‘There are no words… it was an honor to meet you and work together. Bye Mister.’
And even the Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni paid her respects, saying: ‘You fought like a lion on the pitch and in life.
‘You have been an example and have given courage to many who are facing the disease.
‘You have been described as an iron sergeant, you have shown that you have a big heart. You are and will always be a winner. To God Sinisa Mihajlovic.’
