After five games of the new Serie A season, Bologna president Joey Saputo says it was a “painful decision” to fire manager Sinisa Mihajlovic.
After three draws and losses to AC Milan and Lazio, the team still hasn’t picked up a victory and is ranked 16th in the standings.
In July 2019, former Yugoslavia international Mihajlovic made his leukemia diagnosis public for the first time. In the months that followed, he received successful treatment and went back to the sidelines.
In the official statement Bologna said-
Bologna Fc 1909 can confirm that Sinisa Mihajlovic and the Club have parted ways. Despite the strong bond that has been created with the Club and the city over three and half emotional and dramatic years, it is a decision that has unfortunately had to be made. Unfortunately, even positive and successful sporting cycles, like this one has been, lose their initial spark and eventually come to an end. To Sinisa and his staff, we would like to give special thanks to the exceptional work they have done showing dedication and professionalism in extraordinary and difficult circumstances.
“It has been the most difficult decision in my tenure here as Bologna President” said Joey Saputo. “In these years, we have experienced the most beautiful and the hardest moments together that have built not only a strong professional rapport but also a human one. Mihajlovic has faced his illness with courage and determination since he explained to everyone his state of health in that very moving press conference. From then on, despite his stays in hospital and the heavy effects of the treatment received, he has always remained close to the squad, pushing himself to be in touch with the players, in person or via live conference links. Thanks must also be given to the professionalism of his staff, too. The Club and the city have joined together to stay close to the Head Coach in this extremely difficult situation, even if Mihajlovic has always rightly maintained that he wanted to be judged on his professional work. Now, unfortunately, the time has arrived to change, which has not been taken lightly but made for the good of the team and the Club. But even if from today Sinisa Mihajlovic is not the Head Coach of Bologna, the Club and everyone connected to it will forever be by his side in until he has recovered completely and in his future career decisions”.
“The relationship we all have with Sinisa Mihajlovic goes way beyond a professional one”, added managing director Claudio Fenucci, “and it is normal that we are all feeling upset and sad about a decision that we have always tried to avoid making. I will always see Sinisa as a good friend and my affection for him is much more than just from the perspective of our respective roles. But today we find ourselves having to make this tough decision for the good of the team, which is first of all that of the fans and the entire city. I thank Sinisa for all the hard work he has put in, despite his difficult personal battles. He will remain part of the Club’s history forever”.
Bologna Official Website
On September 11th, Bologna will host Fiorentina in their upcoming match.
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