Sinisa Mihajlovic dies, aged 53

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Sinisa Mihajlovic Dies, Aged 53
Mihajlovic had been battling long-term health problems after announcing in 2019 that he was undergoing treatment for leukaemia. Photo: PA Images
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PA Sport Staff

Sinisa Mihajlovic, who helped Red Star Belgrade win the European Cup in 1991 and went on to manage Serie A clubs including AC Milan and Bologna, has died at the age of 53, the Football Association of Serbia has confirmed.

Mihajlovic, who left Bologna in September after a poor start to the season, had been battling long-term health problems after announcing in 2019 that he was undergoing treatment for leukaemia.

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In a statement posted on their website, the Serbian FA wrote: “Sad news for Serbian football, the region, Europe and the football world – Sinisa Mihajlovic has passed away.

“Football has lost too soon a champion of Europe and the world, one of the best performers of free kicks in the history of football, player, coach and selector, a man who left a deep mark in the history of Serbian and Italian football with his career.”

Mihajlovic scored one of the decisive penalties in the shoot-out following a goalless draw against Marseille in 1991 that earned Red Star Belgrade the European title for the first time.

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He won 63 caps and scored 10 goals for the former Yugoslavia, playing in the 1998 World Cup, and was renowned as a strong and incisive defender and a persistent danger from set-pieces.

After retiring as a player in 2006, Mihajlovic held a series of management roles, mostly in Serie A with clubs including Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Milan, as well as the Serbian national team.

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