Sinisa Mihajlovic brutally sacked by Bologna just months after undergoing cancer treatment

SINISA MIHAJLOVIC has been sacked by Bologna just months after receiving cancer treatment.

Posted Wednesday, September 07, 2022 by Express.co.uk

Sinisa Mihajlovic: Bologna have sacked the former Yugoslavia international

Sinisa Mihajlovic has been brutally sacked by Bologna just months after undergoing treatment for cancer. The Serie A club announced on Monday that the head coach had been relieved of his duties following a meeting between Mihajlovic and the club’s board of directors after a disappointing start to the season.

The 53-year-old, who has been battling a severe form of leukaemia since 2019, has undergone three cycles of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant during his first battle with cancer. He revealed in March that the cancer had returned for a second time and he would require further treatment over the summer.

"My recovery after the transplant [of bone marrow in 2019] was great, but unfortunately, these diseases are devious," Mihajlovic told reporters at a news conference. "From the latest analysis some alarm bells have emerged and there could be a risk of a reappearance of the disease.

"To prevent this from happening, I was advised to undertake a therapeutic path. This time I will not put in a slide tackle like I did two and a half years ago on an escaping opponent. I'll get a head start."

Mihajlovic underwent treatment during pre-season and made a successful return to the dugout as the former Yugoslavia international led his side into the 2022-23 campaign. However, results have been disappointing for the Rossoblu, who are winless this season following defeats to Lazio and AC Milan.

Bologna had also failed to beat minnows Salernitana and a 2-2 draw with Spezia on Sunday, which left the club languishing in 16th place, was believed to the final straw after the directors informed him of their decision on Monday.

Bologna president Joey Saputo conceded sacking Mihajlovic had been the “hardest decision” he had to make since he took on the role and said that his relationship with the manager was “not only professional but above all human”.

“Mihajlovic has faced the disease with courage and determination since the day he wanted to make his state of health public in a moving press conference,” he said.

"Since then, despite the hospital stays and the heavy effects of the treatments he has been subjected to, he has always remained close to the team, making every effort to be in contact with the players, in person or in connection, thanks also to the professionalism of his staff.

"The club and the whole city rallied around the coach in this difficult personal experience, despite Mihajlovic has always rightly claimed to be evaluated only for his work. Now, unfortunately, the time has come for a change of technical leadership: a painful decision that we had to make for the good of the team and the club.

“But even if Sinisa Mihajlovic will no longer be the coach of Bologna from today, this club and all the people who make it up will always be by his side until his complete and total recovery and in the rest of his career."