Sinisa Mihajlovic has been fired as coach of Bologna, the club reports via its official channels. The Serb has been at the helm since January 2019 i Rossoblù, but was fired after the mediocre start to the season. This is the first layoff in Serie A this season. Journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Claudio Ranieri op pole position able to succeed Mihajlovic.
Bologna would have ended up with Ranieri, because he brings a wealth of experience. The Roman manager, who will always be remembered for the sensational Premier League win over Leicester City in 2016, has an edge over other candidates Thiago Motta, Paulo Sousa and Leonardo Semplici because of his experience. There has already been contact between Bologna and Ranieri and it is said that an agreement has only yet to be reached on the coach’s financial terms.
Bologna has had a disappointing start to the season with three draws and two defeats. Yet the resignation of Mihajlovic is difficult for the club, says chairman Joey Saputo. “It was the hardest decision I’ve made since I was president of Bologna. In recent years, together with Sinisa, we have had beautiful and painful moments that have formed a relationship that is not only professional, but above all human. Mihajlovic has the disease Faced with courage and determination since the day he set out to make his health condition public in a touching press conference.”
In July 2019, Mihajlovic announced that she had an acute form of leukemia. In March 2022, he announced that he would start a new round of treatments. Yet Mihajlovic was ‘just’ on the bench at Bologna this season. After ending his playing career at Internazionale in 2006, the coach immediately started working as an assistant coach for the Milanese. Afterwards he stood on his own two feet at Bologna, Catania, Fiorentina, Serbia, Sampdoria, AC Milan, Torino, Sporting Portugal and again Bologna.