Robert Mancini stricken with deep grief after being left behind Sinisa Mihajlovic And Gianluca Vialli. Two of his best friends died in the immediate vicinity due to illness.
Mihajlovic died in Rome on December 16, 2022 at the age of 53 due to leukemia. Three weeks later, on 6 January 2023, Vialli died at the age of 58 after being treated in London for pancreatic cancer.
These two names marked Mancini’s career, as a player or as a coach. Mihajlovic, who is four years younger, worked with him at Sampdoria (1994-1997), Lazio (1998-2001 and Inter (2004-2008).
|
When Mancini was coaching Inter, Mihajlovic became his assistant. Photo: AFP/PACO SERINELLI
|
Both have won Serie A, the Italian Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup together. Meanwhile Vialli, who is the same age, was Mancini’s companion when he was defending Sampdoria and the Italian national team.
Like Mihajlovic, Mancini and Vialli won many titles with Sampdoria in 1984-1992, starting with the 1990-91 Serie A, three Coppa Italias, up to the 1991 Cup Winners’ Cup. Both also earned the nickname “The Goal Twins “.
When Mancini was appointed manager of the Italy national team in 2018, Vialli was appointed head of delegation a year later. The two led the Azzurri to victory at Euro 2020 which took place in 2021.
 Vialli embraced Mancini after Italy won Euro 2020. Photo: AP/Christian Charisius |
Losing two friends in a short space of time is not an easy thing for Mancini to deal with. But right now he can only accept the reality and remember the good times with them two.
“A few days after Sinisa’s death, I lost another brother (Vialli), or my sister, as I called him (Mihajlovic),” Mancini said, quoted by the BBC.
When Mihajlovic died, Mancini was also the pallbearer. The 58-year-old coach still managed to visit Vialli in London about a week before he died.
 Mancini (front) carrying Mihajlovic’s coffin. Photo: Dr. Bologna |
“Gianluca gave us courage that we didn’t know, with which he fought against his illness to be able to stay with us as long as possible,” continued Mancini, referring to his friend who recently left for good.
“Gianluca is the best among us, a brave and perfect man. It’s an honor to be a friend and teammate, both in football and in life,” explained Mancini.
(adp/mrp)
