Bologna coach Mihajlovic has leukemia

Sinisa Mihajlovic, a long-time Serbian national team player, is suffering from leukaemia and will not be able to fill his coaching position with the Italian first division team FC Bologna for the time being.

This was announced by the 50-year-old at a press conference on Saturday. “I have leukemia and I’m starting therapy at the hospital on Tuesday. I want to fight hard to get better,” said Mihajlovic.

He had previously “cried all night, but not out of fear. I told my players I wanted to fight for victory like they fight on the pitch. I am convinced that I will overcome this challenge.” His players also rolled out a banner to encourage the coach not to give up.

Mihajlovic had not led the team’s training in Castelrotto in the past three days. Since January he has been in office at FC Bologna, sports director Walter Sabatini now emphasized that Mihajlovic will continue to coach Bologna. “We’re his family,” he said.