Siniša Mihajlović, soccer player and coach, dies at 53
FILE OBIT - Then Bologna's head coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, attends a Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Bologna at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, on Aug. 27, 2022. Former soccer player and coach Siniša Mihajlović has died at 53 after a long battle with leukemia. Mihajlović’s family announced Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, that he died in a Rome hospital. The Serbian had most recently coached Serie A club Bologna for 3 ½ years. He became a sentimental favorite of fans and players alike for his desire to remain on the job even after he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Luca Bruno]
ROME (AP) — Former soccer player and coach Siniša Mihajlović has died at 53 after a long battle with leukemia. Mihajlović’s family announced Friday that he died in a Rome hospital. The Serbian had most recently coached Serie A club Bologna for 3 ½ years. He became a sentimental favorite of fans and players alike for his desire to remain on the job even after he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2019. Players sometimes gathered under Mihajlović’s hospital window when the coach was receiving treatment.
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FILE OBIT - Former Serbian soccer stars Sinisa Mihajlovic, left, and Dejan Savicevic pose with the replica of the Champions League trophy that Red Star Belgrade won in 1991, in Belgrade, Serbia, on Sept. 18, 2018. Former soccer player and coach Siniša Mihajlović has died at 53 after a long battle with leukemia. Mihajlović’s family announced Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, that he died in a Rome hospital. The Serbian had most recently coached Serie A club Bologna for 3 ½ years. He became a sentimental favorite of fans and players alike for his desire to remain on the job even after he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2019. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Darko Vojinovic
FILE OBIT - Inter Milan's Sinisa Mihajlovic of Serbia celebrates after scoring against Roma during the Italy's Cup final soccer match at San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, on June 15, 2005. Former soccer player and coach Siniša Mihajlović has died at 53 after a long battle with leukemia. Mihajlović’s family announced Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, that he died in a Rome hospital. The Serbian had most recently coached Serie A club Bologna for 3 ½ years. He became a sentimental favorite of fans and players alike for his desire to remain on the job even after he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/LUCA BRUNO