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Robert Pires

2025-10-14T13:19:30Z

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{{Short description|French footballer (born 1973)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Robert Pires
| image = Robert Pires 2011.jpg
| caption = Pires in 2011
| full_name = Robert Emmanuel Pires<ref>{{cite web |url=http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=11290 |title=Acta del Partido celebrado el 15 de mayo de 2010, en Zaragoza |trans-title=Minutes of the Match held on 15 May 2010, in Zaragoza |publisher=Royal Spanish Football Federation |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190616013446/http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=11290 |archive-date=16 June 2019 |language=es}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|10|29|df=y}}<ref>{{Hugman|15811|access-date=14 October 2018}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Reims]], France
| height = 1.87 m<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/robert-pires-2147/ |title=Robert Pires |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=30 November 2020}}</ref>
| position = [[Winger (association football)|Winger]], [[attacking midfielder]]
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 = 1980–1989
| youthclubs1 = [[EF Reims Sainte-Anne|Reims Sainte-Anne]]
| youthyears2 = 1989–1991
| youthclubs2 = [[Stade de Reims|Reims]]
| years1 = 1991–1992
| clubs1 = [[Stade de Reims|Reims]]
| caps1 = 5
| goals1 = 2
| years2 = 1992–1993
| clubs2 = [[FC Metz|Metz B]]
| caps2 = 23
| goals2 = 5
| years3 = 1993–1998
| clubs3 = [[FC Metz|Metz]]
| caps3 = 162
| goals3 = 43
| years4 = 1998–2000
| clubs4 = [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]]
| caps4 = 66
| goals4 = 8
| years5 = 2000–2006
| clubs5 = [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
| caps5 = 189
| goals5 = 62
| years6 = 2006–2010
| clubs6 = [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]]
| caps6 = 103
| goals6 = 13
| years7 = 2010–2011
| clubs7 = [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]
| caps7 = 9
| goals7 = 0
| totalcaps = 557
| totalgoals = 133
| nationalyears1 = 1995–1996
| nationalteam1 = [[France national under-21 football team|France U21]]
| nationalcaps1 = 12
| nationalgoals1 = 5
| nationalyears2 = 1996–2004
| nationalteam2 = [[France national football team|France]]
| nationalcaps2 = 79
| nationalgoals2 = 14
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}}
{{Medal|Country|{{fb|FRA}}}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[FIFA World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]]|}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[UEFA European Championship]]|}}
{{Medal|W|[[UEFA Euro 2000|2000]]|}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[FIFA Confederations Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2001 FIFA Confederations Cup|2001]]|}}
{{Medal|W|[[2003 FIFA Confederations Cup|2003]]|}}
}}
'''Robert Emmanuel Pires''' (born 29 October 1973) is a French former professional [[association football|footballer]].<ref name=CoachPires>{{cite news |url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/09/15/jeff-reine-adelaide-reveals-hes-learning-from-arsenal-legend-robert-pires-6129632/ |title=Jeff Reine Adelaide reveals he is learning from Arsenal legend Robert Pires |newspaper=Metro |location=London}}</ref> He is widely regarded as one of [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]'s greatest ever players and considered by some to be one of the best wingers in the history of the sport.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://soccerprime.com/best-wingers-of-all-time/ |title=14 Greatest Wingers of All Time |language=en |publisher=Soccerprime |last=Smith |first=Connor |date=8 September 2022 |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hayward |first=Ben |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/best-wingers-in-football-history|title=Best wingers in football history|work=[[FourFourTwo]]|date=28 November 2023|accessdate=28 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author1=Mark White |date=19 August 2024 |title=Ranked! The 20 best Premier League wingers ever |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ranked-the-20-best-premier-league-wingers-ever/2 |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=fourfourtwo.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author1=Hal Fish |author2=Daniel Hepburn |date=28 February 2024 |title=The 10 Best Premier League Wingers of all Time Ranked |url=https://www.givemesport.com/who-is-the-premier-leagues-greatest-ever-winger/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=GiveMeSport |language=en}}</ref>

Pires played for French clubs [[FC Metz|Metz]] and [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]] prior to his time with [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], where he won three [[FA Cup]]s and two [[Premier League]] titles, including the club's unbeaten season of [[2003–04 FA Premier League|2003–04]]. A former [[France national football team|France]] international, Pires earned 79 caps between 1996 and 2004 for his country, including winning both the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] and [[UEFA Euro 2000]]. He has been included in the [[PFA Team of the Year]] for the [[PFA Team of the Year#2001.E2.80.9302|2001–02]], [[PFA Team of the Year#FA Premier League 11|2002–03]] and [[PFA Team of the Year#FA Premier League 12|2003–04]] seasons, was the Player of the Tournament for the [[2001 FIFA Confederations Cup]], [[FWA Player of the Year]] for the 2001–02 season, [[Ligue 1]] Young Player of the Year for the [[1995–96 French Division 1|1995–96]] season, and was included in the [[FIFA 100]] by [[Pelé]]. He was also voted by Arsenal fans as the sixth greatest player in the club's history.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.arsenal.com/history/gunners-greatest-50-players |title=Gunners greatest 50 players |date=3 September 2023 |publisher=Arsenal F.C.}}</ref>

Pires played the majority of his career as a [[Midfielder#Winger|left winger]], but could also play all across the [[Midfielder|midfield]] or in a position to [[Forward (association football)#Second striker|support the forward]] line. Following his retirement, Pires returned to Arsenal as an individual coach and later as a coach in [[Baller League]].<ref name=CoachPires /><ref name=BallerLeaguePires>{{cite web|title=Baller League teams and managers: Angry Ginge, PK Humble, Arsenal Invincibles, John Terry, Alisha Lehmann and more|date=14 April 2025|publisher=Sky Sports|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13346437/baller-league-teams-and-managers-angry-ginge-pk-humble-arsenal-invincibles-john-terry-alisha-lehmann-and-more|access-date=8 October 2025}}</ref>

==Early life==
Pires was born in [[Reims]], France,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur2883.html |title=Robert Pires |newspaper=L'Équipe |location=Paris |access-date=26 December 2020 |language=fr}}</ref> to a Portuguese father and Spanish mother. Pires, the elder of two boys, spent most of his childhood dressed in two football shirts that reflected his divided loyalty. One was a [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] shirt (his father was a fan) and the other was a [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] shirt. Pires confessed he had difficulty in school because he did not speak French well at the time, due to the fact his parents only spoke Spanish and Portuguese.<ref name="The Times">{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article818672.ece?token=null&offset=24 |newspaper=The Times |location=London |title=Robert Pires the laughing cavalier |first=Paul |last=Kimmage |date=27 October 2002 |access-date=22 May 2010}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> His passion for football was inherited from his father, António, who played with ''Les Corpo'', a local team, and every Saturday night Pires would watch him play. At the age of 15, Pires left school and began his dream of a career in football with a two-year sports degree course in Reims. At the insistence of his mother, Pires continued with [[Stade de Reims|Reims]] and eventually was called up{{clarify|date=July 2024}} four years later.<ref name="The Times"/>

==Club career==
===France===
Pires is a graduate of the [[FC Metz|Metz]] youth academy, making his senior debut in 1993 against [[Olympique Lyonnais|Lyon]]. During his six seasons there, he scored 43 goals in 162 matches, and won the [[Coupe de la Ligue]], prompting a £5 million move to [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]] in 1998. Pires had a mixed two-year stay in [[Provence]]; his first season saw Marseille miss the [[1998–99 French Division 1]] title by a point (he had been even closer [[1997–98 French Division 1|the year before]] when Metz had finished runners-up on goal difference) and they also reached the [[1999 UEFA Cup Final]], losing to [[Parma A.C.|Parma]]. His second season saw him suffer a spate of on- and off-field problems, which led him to boycott the club at the season's end.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/archive/england/news/2001/1120/20011120afcpires.html |title=Mrs Pires happy with her rain man |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=20 November 2001 |access-date=4 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622094439/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/archive/england/news/2001/1120/20011120afcpires.html |archive-date=22 June 2011}}</ref>

===Arsenal===
[[File:Robert Pires1.JPG|thumb|upright|Pires (pictured in 2004) spent six seasons at [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]]]

====2000–01====
Pires was signed by [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] for £6 million in 2000, after stiff competition from [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] and [[Juventus FC|Juventus]], replacing [[Marc Overmars]], who had left for [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] for a record £25 million.<ref name="The Times"/> He made his debut as a substitute against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] on 19 August 2000.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/887663.stm |title=Quinn header edges out Gunners |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 August 2000 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> Initially, Pires' form was indifferent, and some people criticised him after his comments that the English game was too physical. However, he slowly began to regain the form he had shown at Metz, scoring a superb solo goal in October 2000, his first for Arsenal, against [[S.S. Lazio|Lazio]] in the [[2000–01 UEFA Champions League|2000–01 Champions League]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/977349.stm |title=Pires sends Arsenal through |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 October 2000 |access-date=20 September 2009}}</ref> Days later he scored his first league goal in a 2–1 win against [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/982086.stm |title=Pires guns down Hammers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 October 2000 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> During his time at Arsenal Pires had a habit of scoring against rivals [[Tottenham Hotspur]], something he did on eight occasions.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2019/september/harry-kane-and-our-derby-goalscorers/ |title=Harry Kane and our derby goalscorers |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C. |date=2 September 2019 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> The first of such occasions came in a league game on 31 March 2001 when Arsenal won 2–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1249426.stm |title=Gunners take Spurs apart |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 March 2001 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> A week later he scored against Tottenham again, this time the winner in the [[FA Cup]] semi-finals.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/1266295.stm |title=Arsenal sink rivals Spurs |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 April 2001 |access-date=20 September 2009}}</ref> However, Arsenal went on to lose the [[2001 FA Cup Final|Cup final]] to [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] 2–1; Pires set up Arsenal's goal for [[Freddie Ljungberg]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/1324699.stm |title=Owen shatters Arsenal in Cup final |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 May 2001 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref>

====2001–02====
By [[2001–02 in English football|2001–02]], Pires had fully got to grips with the English game and had one of his best seasons. Pires scored superb goals against [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] and [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]. Against Aston Villa, Pires chased after a long ball by Freddie Ljungberg, and lobbed the ball over the pursuing [[George Boateng]], and finished off the move with a delightful lob over [[Peter Schmeichel]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1730993.stm |title=Arsenal comeback sinks Boro |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 December 2001 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1873883.stm |title=Arsenal see off Villa |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 March 2002 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> Pires also scored in a 1–1 draw against Tottenham at [[White Hart Lane]], which would commence a sequence of five consecutive league seasons in which he would score in the North London Derby away at their rivals.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1656818.stm |title=Sol suffers in derby draw |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 November 2001 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> He led the [[Premier League]] assist charts and was voted both [[FWA Footballer of the Year]] and Arsenal's player of the season, as Arsenal won the league title.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arsenal Statistics 2001/02 |url=http://www.kickoff.co.uk/teams/?team_id=1&season=2001&area=squad |website=KickOff.co.uk |access-date=30 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101175446/http://www.kickoff.co.uk/teams/?team_id=1&season=2001&area=squad|archive-date=1 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Pires provided the assist for [[Dennis Bergkamp]] when he scored his memorable pirouette goal against [[Newcastle United]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1847918.stm |title=Arsenal stun Newcastle |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 March 2002 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> However weeks later against the same opposition in the [[FA Cup]] Pires suffered a [[cruciate ligament]] injury (a game in which he had earlier scored).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/1886654.stm |title=Arsenal ease past Newcastle |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 March 2002 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> This also ruled him out of playing in the [[2002 FA Cup Final]] and the 2002 World Cup with France.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/mar/25/newsstory.sport5 |title=Pires to miss the World Cup |newspaper=The Guardian |date=25 March 2002 |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref>

====2002–03====
After a lengthy layoff, Pires made his comeback in November 2002 as a substitute against [[AJ Auxerre|Auxerre]] in the [[UEFA Champions League]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/champions_league/2346087.stm |title=Auxerre stun Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 October 2002 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Although Pires initially found it tough, he eventually returned to form, scoring 14 Premiership goals in 20 starts that season, including a hat-trick against [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] on the penultimate day of the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arsenal Statistics 2003/03 |url=http://www.kickoff.co.uk/teams/?team_id=1&season=2002&area=squad |website=KickOff.co.uk |access-date=30 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101173917/http://www.kickoff.co.uk/teams/?team_id=1&season=2002&area=squad|archive-date=1 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Other highlights included scoring twice against [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], including a last minute winner, and his customary goal at White Hart Lane.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/2553087.stm |title=Spurs let Arsenal off hook |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 December 2002 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/2693953.stm |title=Pires saves Arsenal blushes |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 February 2003 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Pires was voted the [[Premier League Player of the Month]] for February 2003. Pires capped off his season by scoring the winning goal in the [[2003 FA Cup Final|FA Cup Final]] against Southampton.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Paul |title=Pires aim is true for muted Gunners |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/may/18/match.facup |access-date=26 August 2020 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=18 May 2003}}</ref>

====2003–04====
He went on to be a crucial part of Arsenal's quest for the Premier League title in the [[2003–04 FA Premier League|2003–04]] season, which they achieved, remaining unbeaten and becoming the first English top flight club to do so in 115 years. Pires and his Arsenal teammate [[Thierry Henry]] were instrumental in that season, scoring a combined 57 goals in all competitions. Pires made a sluggish start to the campaign, with just one goal to his name (against Everton) prior to October,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3140777.stm |title=Campbell off in Arsenal win |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 August 2003 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> but a wonder-goal against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] at [[Anfield]] kick-started his season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3123608.stm |title=Owen injured in Arsenal win |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 October 2003 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Pires showed football fans his sublime technique, skills and finishing, most notably with his goals against Liverpool, [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]], and [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]. He surprised a lot of people with a world class tackle on [[Claude Makélélé]] and, following that, a run into the penalty box which dragged [[William Gallas]] and [[John Terry]] away, thus making space for [[Patrick Vieira]] to have a one-on-one with the [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] goalkeeper and subsequently scoring. Arsenal won that match 2–1, with Vieira's goal the equaliser.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3496743.stm |title=Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 February 2004 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> That day of Premier League action proved decisive, as [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]'s failure to beat Leeds United during the same day resulted in Arsenal getting a huge lead in the title race.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3496745.stm |title=Man Utd 1-1 Leeds |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 February 2004 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Arsenal never lost 1st place in the table for the rest of the season. In the UEFA Champions League quarter-final's 1st leg match against Chelsea, Pires managed to beat John Terry to a header, which resulted in the equaliser for Arsenal, after [[Eiður Guðjohnsen]] had given Chelsea the lead.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/3560681.stm |title=Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 March 2004 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> However, Arsenal were eliminated after they lost 1–2 in the return leg, courtesy of an 87th minute [[Wayne Bridge]] goal. Pires also scored home and away against Tottenham Hotspur. He showed his [[Playmaker|playmaking]] skills in a goal against Tottenham at [[White Hart Lane]], in which Pires was the architect in building up the goal, and capped off the move with a goal to score Arsenal's 2nd goal of the game. Tottenham refused to give up, and managed to claw their way back and claimed a 2–2 draw. Despite that, Arsenal won the title after the match.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3232991.stm |title=Arsenal break Spurs hearts |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 November 2003 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3628573.stm |title=Arsenal clinch title |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 April 2004 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Pires finished that season with an impressive tally of 14 goals and seven assists in the Premier League. He was Arsenal's second top scorer (behind Thierry Henry) and had the joint amount of assists (along with [[Dennis Bergkamp]]) that season.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

[[File:Robert Pires2.JPG|thumb|upright|Pires in 2004]]

====2004–05====
In the [[2004–05 in English football|2004–05]] season, Pires finished third in the Premiership goalscorers' table with 14 goals, behind teammate Thierry Henry and [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]'s [[Andrew Johnson (footballer, born 1981)|Andrew Johnson]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/goalgetter/eng-premier-league-2004-2005/ |title=Premier League 2004/2005 Top Scorer |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Pires also picked up a second FA Cup winners' medal; he scored in the semi-final against [[Blackburn Rovers]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/4427433.stm |title=Arsenal 3-0 Blackburn |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 March 2005 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> and then Arsenal beat [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] on [[penalty shootout (football)|penalties]] in the final. Pires was replaced by [[Edu (footballer, born 1978)|Edu]] in the 2nd half of extra time in that match.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4558271.stm |title=Arsenal 0-0 Man Utd (aet) |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2005 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref>

====2005–06====
During the [[2005–06 in English football|2005–06]] season, Pires started the season poorly, and players such as [[Freddie Ljungberg]], [[José Antonio Reyes]] and [[Alexander Hleb]] were preferred to him on both wings. As the season progressed, though, Pires' form improved, outscoring his selection rivals overall despite a bizarre penalty incident with [[Thierry Henry]] against [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] when Pires, having scored from the spot earlier in the game, tried passing it to Arsenal's star striker but Henry missed the ball and it went down as a penalty miss.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4344508.stm |title=Arsenal 1-0 Man City |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 October 2005 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Highlights in the league that season included scoring at White Hart Lane for the fifth consecutive season (his eighth and final goal against Tottenham) to help Arsenal salvage a 1–1 draw, and also scoring in the last game at Highbury against [[Wigan Athletic]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4366690.stm |title=Tottenham 1-1 Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 October 2005 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4957444.stm |title=Arsenal 4-2 Wigan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2006 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Pires was instrumental in Arsenal's Quarter Final Champions League first leg against [[Juventus FC|Juventus]], where Arsenal won 2–0. Pires successfully tackled [[Patrick Vieira]] and fed the ball to [[Thierry Henry]] who passed to Fàbregas to score Arsenal's first goal, the first time that Pires had gotten the better of Vieira.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4841992.stm |title=Arsenal 2-0 Juventus |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 March 2006 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref>

Pires played his last game for Arsenal in the [[2006 UEFA Champions League Final|UEFA Champions league final]] against [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] in Paris, which Arsenal ultimately lost 2–1. However, Pires was substituted after only 18 minutes when goalkeeper [[Jens Lehmann]] was sent off and had to be replaced with [[Manuel Almunia]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4773353.stm |title=Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2006 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Pires later said Wenger's decision to substitute him "killed" him: "the fact that I was substituted and only allowed to play 18 minutes remains painful, there's no point denying that... Wenger knows it and we still talk about it. I'll never agree that he made the right decision."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/apr/07/champions-league-robert-pires-villarreal-arsenal|work=The Guardian|date=7 April 2009|accessdate=29 August 2021|title=Pires plans to prove Arsenal wrong}}</ref>

====Departure====
During the [[2005–06 in English football|2005–06]] season, Pires wrangled with Arsenal over a new contract, in the hope of a new two-year deal. In keeping with the club's policy regarding players over 30, Pires was only offered a 12-month extension to his contract, which expired in June 2006.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=Matt |last2=Walker |first2=Michael |date=2005-06-13 |title=Deadlock over new Arsenal deal for Pires |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/jun/14/newsstory.sport2 |access-date=2024-11-27 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In May 2006, Pires agreed to an offer from [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/5015814.stm |title=Pires agrees deal with Villarreal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 May 2006}}</ref> after a month of speculation, during which time he and Arsenal defeated Villarreal in the Champions League semi-final.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

One of the main reasons Pires gave for leaving Arsenal was that he felt he was no longer a first choice under manager [[Arsène Wenger]]. Pires was quoted as saying: "I have to say I have had some disappointments this season. For instance, I was on the bench very often". Pires additionally suggested that Wenger's decision to withdraw him in the [[UEFA Champions League]] final showed he had slipped in the eyes of his French boss. Pires said that he felt hurt by how Wenger did not trust him anymore, which was a major factor that convinced him that it was time to move on from Arsenal.{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}}

On the official Arsenal matchday program for the game against [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] on 11 February 2007, Pires revealed his heartbreak of being substituted so early on during the Champions League final. Pires stated: "I was very disappointed. When I saw my number on the fourth official's board to be substituted, I couldn't believe it. It was my last game after six years at the club, a Champions League Final in front of all my family in Paris where I became World Cup champion and it lasted just 12 minutes. That was very hard to take".{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

On 11 July 2008, Arsenal fans voted Pires as the club's sixth greatest player of all time.<ref>{{cite web |author=3 mins 25 seconds |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/gunners-greatest-players-6.-robert-pires |title=Gunners' Greatest Players – 6. Robert Pires |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |date=11 July 2008 |access-date=4 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804084055/http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/gunners-greatest-players-6.-robert-pires |archive-date=4 August 2011}}</ref>

===Villarreal===
In May 2006, Pires agreed to join Spanish side [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]] on a two-year contract. He joined on a free transfer, subject to passing a medical, bringing to an end his six-year career as an Arsenal player.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pires joins Villarreal on two-year deal |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/pires-joins-villareal-on-two-year-deal-1.1298508 |access-date=26 August 2020 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=25 May 2006}}</ref> After Villarreal were eliminated in the semi-finals of the 2006 Champions League by Arsenal, Villarreal coach [[Manuel Pellegrini]] had wanted to sign Arsenal's Pires or Thierry Henry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12385_3370032,00.html |title=Hope for Henry |publisher=Sky Sports}}</ref>

He scored his first goal for the club in 3–3 pre-season draw with [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] on 5 August 2006. However, on 18 August 2006, Pires damaged the [[cruciate ligament]] in his left knee in a friendly match against [[Cádiz CF|Cádiz]] and required corrective surgery to alleviate the problem, which kept him out of action for seven months in his new club in Spanish top flight. Pires finally recovered from knee injury and made his first league appearance for Villarreal as a second-half substitute when he was named in Villarreal's squad to face [[Real Sociedad]] on 17 March 2007. Pires scored his first league goal on his return from injury in a 3–3 draw away to [[Real Betis]] on 31 March 2007. After three appearances as a substitute, Pires made his first start for Villarreal on 22 April 2007 against [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]. He opened the scoring for his team to defeat league leaders Barcelona 2–0, avenging his premature departure against Barcelona in the [[2006 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League Final]] the previous May.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

On 13 May 2007, in a 4–1 win at [[CA Osasuna|Osasuna]], Pires scored a seventh-minute opener as Villarreal continued their late-season push for a European spot. The run took Villarreal, at 11th spot without him in the side, to the brink of a [[UEFA Cup]] place in barely six weeks. Villarreal ended the season in 5th spot wherein Pires played crucial roles in helping Villarreal with the late charge up winning each of their final eight games and an entry into the [[UEFA Cup]].{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

The 2007–08 season was marked by the ongoing saga between [[Juan Román Riquelme]] and the board of Villarreal. Despite this distraction, Pires' leadership qualities helped Villarreal to win six of their opening eight games. Against Barcelona at [[El Madrigal]], Pires' technique earned the Yellow Submarine two penalties which were duly converted by captain [[Marcos Senna]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}} Villarreal ended up finishing second in La Liga behind [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]], which was their best league finish in history, beating Barcelona into third place.<ref name=Villarreal>{{cite web |url=http://fourfourtwo.com/news/spain/53699/default.aspx |title=Pires set to leave Villarreal |website=FourFourTwo |date=7 May 2010 |access-date=4 October 2010}}</ref>

In 2009, Pires faced former club Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the [[UEFA Champions League]], coming on as a 70th-minute substitute in the first leg and playing the full 90 minutes at the [[Emirates Stadium|Emirates]]. Villarreal were defeated 4–1 on aggregate, but Pires received a warm return from the Arsenal supporters, who sang his name throughout both legs.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

Pires was told in May 2010 that his contract would not be extended and he would have to look for a new club during the summer, as [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]] will be "changing their philosophy".<ref name=Villarreal />

===Aston Villa===
Pires returned to England and trained at [[Shenley Training Centre|London Colney]] – Arsenal's training ground, in order to keep his fitness levels up.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-legend-training-at-london-colney |title=Arsenal legend training at London Colney |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |date=24 April 2010 |access-date=4 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006014406/http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-legend-training-at-london-colney |archive-date=6 October 2010}}</ref> In October 2010, it was reported that [[Conference National]] club [[Crawley Town]] intended to talk to Pires about joining them for some part of the season, but the player's spokesman said they were "not aware of any interest" from that club.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/crawley_town/9112362.stm |title=Robert Pires 'not aware' of Crawley Town interest |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 October 2010 |access-date=21 October 2010}}</ref>

On 16 November 2010, [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] boss [[Gérard Houllier]] had been in talks with representatives of Pires.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2222143,00.html |publisher=Aston Villa F.C. |date=16 November 2010 |title=McAllister welcomes imminent arrival of experienced midfield ace Pires |access-date=16 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117175659/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2222143,00.html |archive-date=17 November 2010}}</ref> On 18 November, the 37-year-old midfielder completed his move to Aston Villa on a six-month contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/9195439.stm |title=Robert Pires completes move to Aston Villa |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 November 2010 |access-date=18 November 2010}}</ref> He made his Villa début in the [[Premier League]] on 21 November as a second-half substitute, although his new club were beaten 2–0 by [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]. Pires' arrival at the club was praised by many of Villa's senior players, including [[Gabriel Agbonlahor]], [[Stewart Downing]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2227969,00.html |title=Lowry: Lining up alongside class act Pires was surreal|publisher=Aston Villa F.C. |access-date=2 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227091834/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2227969,00.html |archive-date=27 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2228530,00.html |title=Agbonlahor thrilled to line-up with Pires in claret and blue|publisher=Aston Villa F.C. |access-date=2 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229042738/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2228530,00.html |archive-date=29 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_6526872,00.html |title=Downing joins Pires praise|publisher=Sky Sports |date=25 November 2010 |access-date=2 February 2011}}</ref> Pires scored his first goal for Aston Villa in the 3–1 FA Cup win against [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] on 29 January 2011. His next start was also against Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League on 26 February. His performance in Villa's 4–1 win was described by [[Sky Sports]] as "his most influential" since joining the club.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3284495,00.html |publisher=Sky Sports |title=Villa sink wretched Rovers |date=26 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227100500/http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0%2C19764%2C11065_3284495%2C00.html |archive-date=27 February 2011}}</ref>

In early March, Pires announced that he would like to remain at Aston Villa for the 2011–12 season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_6786938,00.html |publisher=Sky Sports |title=Pires wants Villa stay |date=1 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2304867,00.html |title=Pires targets extended stay after revealing he is loving life at Villa |publisher=Aston Villa F.C. |date=1 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304030415/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2304867,00.html |archive-date=4 March 2011}}</ref> Villa boss Gérard Houllier responded positively to this claim, but admitted that no decision would be made until the Summer of 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_6787627,00.html |publisher=Sky Sports |title=Houllier plans Pires talks |date=1 March 2011}}</ref> However, he was released by the club on 27 May 2011 after the 2010–11 season finished.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2368005,00.html |title=Farewell to Reo-Coker and Carew as released list announced |date=27 May 2011 |publisher=Aston Villa F.C. |access-date=27 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527212512/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~2368005%2C00.html |archive-date=27 May 2011}}</ref>

In September 2011, Pires made a guest appearance for [[Scottish Premier League]] side [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]] in Ian Murray's Testimonial match at [[Easter Road]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ianmurraytestimonial.net/Events.htm |title=Ian Murray Testimonial 2011–12 |access-date=7 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703211032/http://www.ianmurraytestimonial.net/Events.htm |archive-date=3 July 2012}}</ref>

===Goa, India (retirement and coaching)===
[[File:Robert Pirès 2017 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Pires in 2017]]

In September 2013, Pires made a guest appearance for Premier League Aston Villa in Stiliyan Petrov's Testimonial match at Celtic Park.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Berry |first=Gavin |date=2013-09-09 |title=Stiliyan Petrov charity match: Former Celtic star overwhelmed by fans' support |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/stiliyan-petrov-charity-match-celtic-2261352 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Daily Record |language=en}}</ref>

In July 2014, Pires announced a comeback to promote the launch of the [[Indian Super League]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Pires signs up for the Indian Super League |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/news/pires-signs-indian-super-league |website=FourFourTwo |access-date=26 August 2020 |date=28 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pires signs up for Indian Super League |url=https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/pires-signs-up-for-indian-super-league |website=theworldgame.sbs.com.au |access-date=26 August 2020 |date=29 July 2014}}</ref> On 2 September 2014, he was signed by [[FC Goa|Goa]], becoming their marquee signing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mumbai, Goa to settle for Arsenal legends |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/Mumbai-Goa-to-settle-for-Arsenal-legends/articleshow/41498097.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |date=2 September 2014 |access-date=2 September 2014}}</ref> The 40-year-old came out of retirement to play for Goa, one of eight teams in the newly created league,{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} and he captained the team.<ref>{{cite web|title=FC Goa beat Vasco Sports Club 1-0|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/clubs/496-fc-goa-profile/press-releases/fc-goa-beat-vasco-sports-club-1-0|date=9 October 2014|access-date=23 February 2021|website=indiansuperleague.com|publisher=[[Indian Super League]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226072033/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/clubs/496-fc-goa-profile/press-releases/fc-goa-beat-vasco-sports-club-1-0|archive-date=26 December 2021}}</ref>

"For me the project and the passion for the game are very important. India needs a start. You need to progress. And for me, that was important. I had offers from the USA and Qatar but I wanted to be part of a new beginning for the sport in India. As for the conditions, we all know about them – but I'm ready and training hard. I like the pressure", he said. Pires is a regular at Arsenal's training ground, using the facilities to stay fit, and said that he spoke to [[Arsène Wenger]] about playing in India: "He told me if you have it in you and if you have the passion to go play in India, then do it. And I think I'm ready." "The reception at the airport was amazing", he said, on his unveiling in India, before adding, "Thank you for the welcome India... and the spicy food."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/why-robert-pires-chose-indias-isl-over-americas-glitz-and-qatars-riches-1726791.html |title=Why Robert Pires chose India's ISL over America's glitz and Qatar's riches |date=24 September 2014 |website=First Post.com}}</ref>

Pires made his league debut for Goa on 15 October 2014, a 2–1 defeat to [[Chennaiyin FC|Chennaiyin]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Raj |first1=Rohan |title=ISL: Record-breaking Chennaiyin FC romp to 2–1 win over FC Goa |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/isl-chennaiyin-fc-vs-fc-goa-live-indian-super-league-match-4-nehru-stadium/1/395917.html |access-date=15 October 2014 |newspaper=India Today |date=15 October 2014}}</ref>

On 25 October 2014, he was given a two-match ban for insulting [[Atlético de Kolkata]]'s manager [[Antonio López Habas]].<ref>{{cite web |title=ISL announces ruling on incidents from FC Goa vs Atlético de Kolkata fixture |url=http://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/773-isl-announces-ruling-on-incidents-from-fc-goa-vs-atletico-de-kolkata-fixture |publisher=Indian Super League |access-date=25 October 2014}}</ref> He scored his first league goal on 13 November 2014 in a 4–1 away win over [[Delhi Dynamos FC|Delhi Dynamos]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Goa romp into 4–1 lead against Delhi Dynamos |url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/indian-super-league-live-goa-romp-into-4-0-lead-against-delhi-dynamos-1801213.html |website=Firstpost |agency=Press Trust of India |date=13 November 2014 |access-date=13 November 2014}}</ref>

Pires was released by Goa on 13 March 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/FC-Goa-drop-all-four-strikers/articleshow/46558555.cms |title=FC Goa drop all four strikers |website=The Times of India |date=14 March 2015|access-date=13 July 2015 |first=Marcus |last=Mergulhao}}</ref> On 25 February 2016, Pires announced his retirement from professional football.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/feb/25/former-arsenal-france-midfielder-robert-pires-retires-football |title=Former Arsenal and France midfielder Robert Pires retires from football |date=25 February 2016 |access-date=25 February 2016 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>

Pires expressed interest in and was approached by Arsène Wenger with regard to coaching. Pires soon began working at Arsenal as an individual coach in 2016, though would depart in 2017.<ref name=CoachPires /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.squawka.com/news/robert-pires-arsene-wenger-said-i-could-coach-at-arsenal/512215 |title=Robert Pires Arsène Wenger said that i could coach at Arsenal |website=Squawka.com}}</ref>

In November 2024, it was announced that Pires set to manage one of the 12 teams in the upcoming UK edition of [[Baller League]], a [[six-a-side football]] league.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-26 |title=Baller League: KSI, Gary Lineker, Luis Figo & John Terry among names involved in new football league |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c3rx5ll9y3zo |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Buckingham |first=Philip |last2=Stafford-Bloor |first2=Seb |title=What is Baller League, why are KSI and IShowSpeed involved and is it a game-changer? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5949002/2024/11/26/baller-league-explained-ksi-ishowspeed/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Pires was the coach of N5 FC alongside former Arsenal teammates [[Freddie Ljungberg]] and [[Jens Lehmann]] for the league's first season.<ref name=BallerLeaguePires>{{cite web|title=Baller League teams and managers: Angry Ginge, PK Humble, Arsenal Invincibles, John Terry, Alisha Lehmann and more|date=14 April 2025|publisher=Sky Sports|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13346437/baller-league-teams-and-managers-angry-ginge-pk-humble-arsenal-invincibles-john-terry-alisha-lehmann-and-more|access-date=8 October 2025}}</ref>

==International career==
Pires was part of France's [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]] and [[2000 European Football Championship|Euro 2000]] winning squads, but had to miss the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup]] due to an injury he sustained playing for Arsenal. He also played in the [[1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Olympic Games]] and [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]]. However, a dispute in late 2004 with French national coach [[Raymond Domenech]] put a halt to Pires' international career. He won 79 [[cap (sport)|caps]] for his country and scored 14 goals. He won the Golden Ball (for most outstanding football) and Golden Shoe (for most goals scored) awards at the 2001 [[Confederations Cup]] in [[South Korea|Korea]]/[[Japan]]. Pires provided a golden goal assist during his international career, providing David Trézéguet with the match-winning ball in the Euro 2000 final.

==Personal life==
[[File:Football against poverty 2014 - Robert Pires.jpg|thumb|upright|Pires playing in a charity match in March 2014]]

In 1992, during his initial year at [[FC Metz|Metz]], Pires met his first wife, Nathalie.<ref name="The Times"/> The two were married for six years and divorced in 2003. Pires told ''The [[Daily Mirror]]'' that his divorce had ruined him and affected him professionally, interfering with his concentration and sleep. He also blamed it for his odd behavior, such as publicly fighting with French coach [[Raymond Domenech]] in early 2004.{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}}

Shortly after the split from Nathalie, Pires met French model Jessica Lemarie through mutual friends. On 10 August 2005, she gave birth to the couple's first child, Naia. Since then, Lemarie and Pires have since married and had a son named Theo, born 11 July 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://freekickmastersusa.com/Robert_Pires.asp |title=Robert Pires; Free Kick Master |website=Freekickmastersusa.com |access-date=4 October 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808071011/http://www.freekickmastersusa.com/Robert_Pires.asp |archive-date=8 August 2010}}</ref>

On 17 January 2012, Pires became an ambassador for Grassroot Soccer, an international non-profit that uses the power of football to educate, inspire, and mobilize communities to stop the spread of HIV.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.grassrootsoccer.org/2012/01/17/robert-pires-international-soccer-star-joins-grassroot-soccer-as-ambassador/ |title=International soccer star joins grassroot soccer as ambassador |website=Grassroot Soccer.org}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/robert-pires/2/|title=Robert Pires|website=WorldFootball.net}}</ref>
!rowspan="2"|Club!
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|Cup
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[FC Metz|Metz]]
|[[1992–93 French Division 1|1992–93]]
|[[Ligue 1|Division 1]]
|2||0||1||0||0||0||2||0
|-
|[[1993–94 French Division 1|1993–94]]
|Division 1
|24||1||5||0||0||0||28||1
|-
|[[1994–95 French Division 1|1994–95]]
|Division 1
|34||8||2||1||0||0||36||9
|-
|[[1995–96 French Division 1|1995–96]]
|Division 1
|38||11||7||2||0||0||45||13
|-
|[[1996–97 French Division 1|1996–97]]
|Division 1
|32||11||3||1||6||0||41||12
|-
|[[1997–98 French Division 1|1997–98]]
|Division 1
|31||11||6||2||3||0||41||13
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!161!!42!!23!!6!!9!!0!!195!!47
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]]
|[[1998–99 Olympique de Marseille season|1998–99]]
|Division 1
|34||6||2||0||11||3||49||9
|-
|[[1999–2000 Olympique de Marseille season|1999–2000]]
|Division 1
|32||2||3||1||11||2||46||5
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!66!!8!!5!!1!!22!!5!!95!!14
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
|[[2000–01 Arsenal F.C. season|2000–01]]
|[[Premier League]]
|33||4||6||3||12||1||51||8
|-
|[[2001–02 Arsenal F.C. season|2001–02]]
|Premier League
|28||9||5||1||12||3||47||13
|-
|[[2002–03 Arsenal F.C. season|2002–03]]
|Premier League
|26||14||7||2||9||0||42||16
|-
|[[2003–04 Arsenal F.C. season|2003–04]]
|Premier League
|36||14||5||1||10||4||51||19
|-
|[[2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season|2004–05]]
|Premier League
|33||14||6||2||8||1||48||17
|-
|[[2005–06 Arsenal F.C. season|2005–06]]
|Premier League
|33||7||3||2||12||2||48||11
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!189!!62!!33!!12!!63!!11!!284!!84
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]]
|[[2006–07 Villarreal CF season|2006–07]]
|[[La Liga]]
|11||3||0||0||2||0||13||3
|-
|[[2007–08 Villarreal CF season|2007–08]]
|La Liga
|34||3||5||1||2||0||41||4
|-
|[[2008–09 Villarreal CF season|2008–09]]
|La Liga
|32||3||0||0||8||1||40||4
|-
|[[2009–10 Villarreal CF season|2009–10]]
|La Liga
|28||4||2||1||7||2||37||7
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!105!!13!!7!!2!!19!!3!!131!!18
|-
|[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]
|[[2010–11 Aston Villa F.C. season|2010–11]]
|Premier League
|9||0||3||1||0||0||12||1
|-
|[[FC Goa|Goa]]
|[[2014 FC Goa season|2014]]
|[[Indian Super League]]
|8||1||0||0||0||0||8||1
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!538!!126!!69!!20!!113!!19!!720!!165
|}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{NFT|2447|name=Robert Pirès|access-date=4 October 2010}}</ref>
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="8"|[[France national football team|France]]
|1997||11||1
|-
|1998||14||1
|-
|1999||9||1
|-
|2000||10||2
|-
|2001||13||4
|-
|2002||1||0
|-
|2003||12||4
|-
|2004||13||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!79!!14
|}

:''Scores and results list France's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Pires goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Robert Pires
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
|align="center"|1
|9 October 1996
|[[Parc des Princes]], [[Paris]], France
|{{fb|TUR}}
|align="center"|4–0
|align="center"|4–0
|[[Friendly (association football)|Friendly]]
|-
|align="center"|2
|26 February 1997
|Parc des Princes, Paris, France
|{{fb|NED}}
|align="center"|1–1
|align="center"|2–1
|Friendly
|-
|align="center"|3
|10 October 1998
|[[Luzhniki Stadium]], [[Moscow]], Russia
|{{fb|RUS}}
|align="center"|2–0
|align="center"|3–2
|[[UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying]]
|-
|align="center"|4
|13 November 1999
|[[Stade de France]], [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]], France
|{{fb|CRO}}
|align="center"|1–0
|align="center"|3–0
|Friendly
|-
|align="center"|5
|28 May 2000
|[[Maksimir Stadium]], [[Zagreb]], Croatia
|{{fb|CRO}}
|align="center"|1–0
|align="center"|2–0
|Friendly
|-
|align="center"|6
|16 August 2000
|[[Stade Vélodrome]], [[Marseille]], France
|[[FIFA]] XI
|align="center"|4–0
|align="center"|5–1
|Friendly
|-
|align="center"|7
|3 June 2001
|[[Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium]], [[Ulsan]], South Korea
|{{fb|MEX}}
|align="center"|3–0
|align="center"|4–0
|[[2001 FIFA Confederations Cup]]
|-
|align="center"|8
|7 June 2001
|[[Suwon World Cup Stadium]], [[Suwon]], South Korea
|{{fb|BRA}}
|align="center"|1–0
|align="center"|2–1
|2001 FIFA Confederations Cup
|-
|align="center"|9
|15 August 2001
|[[Stade de la Beaujoire]], [[Nantes]], France
|{{fb|DEN}}
|align="center"|1–0
|align="center"|1–0
|Friendly
|-
|align="center"|10
|6 October 2001
|Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
|{{fb|ALG}}
|align="center"|4–1
|align="center"|4–1
|Friendly
|-
|align="center"|11
|30 April 2003
|Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
|{{fb|EGY}}
|align="center"|3–0
|align="center"|5–0
|Friendly
|-
|align="center"|12
|20 June 2003
|[[Stade Geoffroy-Guichard]], [[Saint-Étienne]], France
|{{fb|JAP}}
|align="center"|1–0
|align="center"|2–1
|[[2003 FIFA Confederations Cup]]
|-
|align="center"|13
|22 June 2003
|Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
|{{fb|NZL}}
|align="center"|5–0
|align="center"|5–0
|2003 FIFA Confederations Cup
|-
|align="center"|14
|26 June 2003
|Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
|{{fb|TUR}}
|align="center"|2–0
|align="center"|3–2
|2003 FIFA Confederations Cup
|}

==Honours==
'''Metz'''
*[[Coupe de la Ligue]]: [[1996 Coupe de la Ligue Final|1995–96]]<ref name=Soccerway>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/robert-pires/3104/ |title=R. Pirès: Soccerway |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=14 October 2018}}</ref>

'''Arsenal'''
*[[Premier League]]: [[2001–02 FA Premier League|2001–02]], [[2003–04 FA Premier League|2003–04]]<ref name=PL>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/1835/Robert-Pir%C3%A8s/overview |title=Robert Pirès: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=8 June 2023}}</ref>
*[[FA Cup]]: [[2002–03 FA Cup|2002–03]], [[2004–05 FA Cup|2004–05]]<ref name="Robert Pires Arsenal Honours">{{cite web |url=http://www.arsenal.com/history/profiles/541/robert-pires |title=Robert Pires |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |access-date=29 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114135433/http://www.arsenal.com/history/profiles/541/robert-pires |archive-date=14 January 2015}}</ref>
*[[UEFA Champions League]] runner-up: [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|2005–06]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2005/matches/round=2205/match=1108503/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103130207/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2005/matches/round=2205/match=1108503/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 January 2012 |title=Barça comeback denies Arsenal |publisher=UEFA |date=18 May 2006 |access-date=5 July 2015}}</ref>

'''France'''
*[[FIFA World Cup]]: [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]]<ref name=Soccerway/>
*[[UEFA European Championship]]: [[UEFA Euro 2000|2000]]<ref name=Soccerway/>
*[[FIFA Confederations Cup]]: [[2001 FIFA Confederations Cup|2001]], [[2003 FIFA Confederations Cup|2003]]<ref name=Soccerway/>

'''Individual'''
*[[Ligue 1|Division 1]] [[Trophées UNFP du football|Young Player of the Year]]: 1995–96<ref name="UNFP5">{{cite web |url=http://www.sportpalmares.eu/-Trophees-UNFP-Oscars-du-foot-.html |title=Palmarès Trophées UNFP – Oscars du foot |language=fr |website=Sport Palmares.eu}}</ref>
*[[FWA Footballer of the Year]]: [[2001–02 in English football|2001–02]]<ref name=FWAAward>{{cite web |url=http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/robert-pires-of-arsenal-with-the-football-writers-player-of-news-photo/613916#robert-pires-of-arsenal-with-the-football-writers-player-of-the-year-picture-id613916 |title=Robert Pires of Arsenal with the Football Writers Player of the Year Award |website=Getty Images.com|date=29 May 2002 }}</ref>
*[[PFA Team of the Year]]: [[PFA Team of the Year (2000s)#FA Premier League 3|2001–02 Premier League]],<ref name="Hugman2002–03 480">{{Cite book | editor-first = Barry J. | editor-last = Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2002/2003 |year=2002 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |isbn=1-85291-648-6 |page=480}}</ref> [[PFA Team of the Year (2000s)#FA Premier League 4|2002–03 Premier League]],<ref name="Hugman2003–04 496">{{Cite book | editor-first = Barry J. | editor-last = Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004 |year=2003 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |isbn=1-85291-651-6 |page=496}}</ref> [[PFA Team of the Year (2000s)#FA Premier League 5|2003–04 Premier League]]<ref name="Hugman2004–05 480">{{Cite book | editor-first = Barry J. | editor-last = Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2004/2005 |year=2004 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |isbn=1-85291-660-5 |page=480}}</ref>
*[[Premier League Player of the Month]]: [[2002–03 FA Premier League#Monthly awards|February 2003]]<ref name=PL/>
*[[Arsenal Player of the Season]]: [[2001–02 Arsenal F.C. season|2001−02]]<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Maidment |first=Jem |title=The Official Arsenal Encyclopedia |publisher=[[Hamlyn (publisher)|Hamlyn]] |year=2006 |isbn=9780600615491 |location=London |pages=148 |language=en}}</ref>
*FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball: [[2001 FIFA Confederations Cup|2001]]<ref name="FIFA Confed Cup">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/archive/koreajapan2001/awards/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222155442/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/archive/koreajapan2001/awards/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 December 2015 |title=FIFA Confederations Cup Korea/Japan 2001 {{!}} Awards|publisher=FIFA|access-date=20 October 2017}}</ref>
*FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Shoe: [[2001 FIFA Confederations Cup|2001]]<ref name="FIFA Confed Cup" />
*[[FIFA 100]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3533891.stm |title=Pele's list of the greatest |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 March 2004 |access-date=29 September 2014}}</ref>
*[[Trophées UNFP du football#Équipe type spéciale 20 ans des trophées UNFP|Équipe type spéciale 20 ans des trophées UNFP]]: 2011<ref name="UNFP5" />

'''Orders'''
*[[Knight of the Legion of Honour]]: 1998<ref>{{cite journal |date=25 July 1998 |title=Décret du 24 juillet 1998 portant nomination à titre exceptionnel |trans-title=Decree of 24 July 1998 appointing on an exceptional basis |url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000374701 |journal=Official Journal of the French Republic |volume=1998 |issue=170 |id=PREX9801916D |access-date=30 November 2020 |language=fr}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150114135433/http://www.arsenal.com/history/profiles/541/robert-pires Profile] at the Arsenal F.C. website
*{{FFF player}}
*{{UEFA player}}
*{{FIFA player}}

{{Navboxes
| bg = gold
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| list1 =
{{2001–02 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{2002–03 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{2003–04 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year}}
{{FWA Footballer of the Year}}
{{FIFA Confederations Cup awards}}
{{FIFA 100}}
{{Arsenal F.C. Player of the Season}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = France squads
| bg = #002395
| fg = white
| bordercolor = #ED2939
| list1 =
{{France men's football squad 1996 Summer Olympics}}
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{{France squad 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{France squad 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{France squad UEFA Euro 2004}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pires, Robert}}
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[[Category:20th-century French sportsmen]]

Siniša Mihajlović

2025-10-06T11:09:27Z

195.222.97.169:

{{Short description|Serbian footballer and manager (1969–2022)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Siniša Mihajlović
| image = Siniša Mihajlović.JPG
| image_size =
| caption = Mihajlović as manager of [[Fiorentina]] in 2010
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1969|2|20}}
| birth_place = [[Vukovar]], SR Croatia, Yugoslavia
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2022|12|16|1969|2|20}}
| death_place = [[Rome]], Italy
| height = 1.85 m
| position = [[Defender (association football)|Defender]]
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = [[HNK Borovo|Borovo]]
| years1 = 1986–1988
| clubs1 = [[HNK Borovo|Borovo]]
| caps1 = 37
| goals1 = 8
| years2 = 1988–1990
| clubs2 = [[FK Vojvodina|Vojvodina]]
| caps2 = 73
| goals2 = 19
| years3 = 1991–1992
| clubs3 = [[Red Star Belgrade]]
| caps3 = 38
| goals3 = 9
| years4 = 1992–1994
| clubs4 = [[AS Roma|Roma]]
| caps4 = 54
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 1994–1998
| clubs5 = [[UC Sampdoria|Sampdoria]]
| caps5 = 110
| goals5 = 12
| years6 = 1998–2004
| clubs6 = [[SS Lazio|Lazio]]
| caps6 = 126
| goals6 = 20
| years7 = 2004–2006
| clubs7 = [[Inter Milan]]
| caps7 = 25
| goals7 = 5
| totalcaps = 463
| totalgoals = 74
| nationalyears1 = 1991–2003
| nationalteam1 = [[Serbia and Montenegro national football team|Serbia and Montenegro]]{{refn|group=note|Including 4 caps for [[Yugoslavia national football team|SFR Yugoslavia]]. Serbia and Montenegro was known as FR Yugoslavia until 2003.<ref>{{Reprezentacija|mihajlovic-sinisa}}</ref>}}
| nationalcaps1 = 63
| nationalgoals1 = 10
| manageryears1 = 2008–2009
| managerclubs1 = [[Bologna FC 1909|Bologna]]
| manageryears2 = 2009–2010
| managerclubs2 = [[Calcio Catania|Catania]]
| manageryears3 = 2010–2011
| managerclubs3 = [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]]
| manageryears4 = 2012–2013
| managerclubs4 = [[Serbia national football team|Serbia]]
| manageryears5 = 2013–2015
| managerclubs5 = [[UC Sampdoria|Sampdoria]]
| manageryears6 = 2015–2016
| managerclubs6 = [[AC Milan|Milan]]
| manageryears7 = 2016–2018
| managerclubs7 = [[Torino FC|Torino]]
| manageryears8 = 2018
| managerclubs8 = [[Sporting CP]]
| manageryears9 = 2019–2022
| managerclubs9 = [[Bologna FC 1909|Bologna]]
| medaltemplates = {{MedalCompetition|Representing {{fb|YUG}}}}
{{MedalSilver| [[UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship|UEFA U-21 Euro]]|[[1990 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship|1990]]}}
}}
'''Siniša Mihajlović''' ({{lang-sr-Cyrl|Синиша Михајловић}}, {{IPA|sh|sǐniʃa mixǎːjloʋitɕ|pron}}; 20 February 1969 – 16 December 2022) was a Serbian football [[Football coach (association football)|manager]] and professional [[footballer]]. Though starting out as a [[Midfielder (association football)|midfielder]] and attacking midfielder, he played the majority of his career as a [[Defender (association football)|defender]].

Mihajlović had an illustrious playing career, winning the [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]] with [[Red Star Belgrade]] in [[1991 European Cup Final|1991]] before moving to Italy, making 353 appearances for [[Serie A]] sides [[AS Roma|Roma]], [[UC Sampdoria|Sampdoria]], [[SS Lazio|Lazio]] and [[Inter Milan]] and winning league titles with the latter two clubs. Considered by many to be among the best [[Direct free kick|free kick]] takers of all time,{{refn|group=nb|In 2009, ''[[The Guardian]]'' placed Mihajlović at No. 5 of the 6 top free kick specialists,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/aug/28/joy-of-six-free-kick-specialists|title=The Joy of Six: free-kick specialists|first=Rob|last=Smyth|date=28 August 2009|website=The Guardian|access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref> in September 2009, ''[[The Independent]]'' placed him at No. 8 of "The Ten Best Free-Kick Specialists",<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-ten-best-freekick-specialists-1785081.html?action=Popup&ino=8|title=The Ten Best Free-Kick Specialists|date=11 September 2009|website=Independent.co.uk|access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref> In January 2009, ''Soccerlens'' placed him at No. 2 of "Top Ten Free Kick Specialists of All Time",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccerlens.com/top-ten-free-kick-specialists-of-all-time/20493/|title=Top Ten Free Kick Specialists of All Time - Sportslens|date=27 January 2009|website=Soccerlens.com|access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref> and Gianni Verschueren's December 2012 "Ranking the Greatest Free-Kick Takers of All Time" top ten list on [[Bleacher Report]] placed him at No. 5,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1437739-world-football-ranking-the-greatest-free-kick-takers-of-all-time|title=Ranking the Greatest Free-Kick Takers of All Time|first=Gianni|last=Verschueren|publisher=[[Bleacher Report]]|access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref> followed by Alex Richards' December 2013 "Ranking the 16 Greatest Free-Kick Takers of All Time" list on the same site placed him at No. 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1886357-ranking-the-16-greatest-free-kick-takers-of-all-time|title=Ranking the 16 Greatest Free-Kick Takers of All Time|first=Alex|last=Richards|publisher=[[Bleacher Report]]|access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref>}} he holds the all-time record in [[Serie A]] for [[Football records in Italy#Most goals from a free kick|most goals from free kicks]] with 28 goals. He won 63 caps and scored 10 goals for [[Serbia and Montenegro national football team|Yugoslavia from 1991 to 2003]], of which his first four caps in 1991 represented [[Yugoslavia national football team|SFR Yugoslavia]], and played in the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] and [[UEFA Euro 2000]] tournaments.

Mihajlović retired from playing in 2006, becoming assistant manager at Inter. He managed six Serie A clubs from 2008 to 2022, starting and finishing with [[Bologna FC 1909|Bologna]] and also including [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]], [[Torino FC|Torino]] and [[AC Milan]]. He was the coach of the [[Serbia national football team|Serbia national team]] from May 2012 to November 2013. He was diagnosed with [[leukemia]] in 2019 and died from the disease in 2022.

==Early life==
Born in [[Vukovar]] into a working-class family of a [[Serbs of Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnian Serb]] father<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mondo.ba/Sport/Fudbal/a1187842/mihajlovici-iz-kukulja-rodjaci-sinise-mihajlovica.html|title=Rodbina Siniše Mihajlovića iz mjesta nedaleko od Banjaluke: Bog je tako htio - da bude sahranjen na krsnu slavu!|website=Mondo Bosna}}</ref> and a [[Croats|Croat]] mother,<ref name=Seba-Sinisa>{{citation|author=Suzana Vermelinger|work=Internazionale Magazine XI|year=2004|title=Seba & Sinisa – tako slicni a tako razliciti}}</ref> Mihajlović was raised in [[Borovo Naselje]] with a younger brother, Dražen (b. 1973).<ref name=Vreme-1054255>{{cite news|title=Nisam od onih koji kukaju|url=http://www.vreme.com/cms/view.php?id=1054255|publisher=Vreme|date=24 May 2012}}</ref> Their father Bogdan (d. 2011) was a [[truck driver]] at the Građevinar construction company in Vukovar, while their mother Viktorija worked in the [[Borovo (company)|Borovo shoe factory]].<ref name=Vreme-1054255/> Mihajlović identified as a [[Serbs|Serb]], but said that he viewed Croatia as his country as well.<ref name=Novosti-404298>{{cite news|url=http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/sport.294.html:404298-Mihajlovic-I-Hrvatska-je-moja-zemlja|title=Mihajlović: I Hrvatska je moja zemlja!|date=2 November 2012|publisher=Novosti|language=sr|location=Belgrade}}</ref>

During the [[Croatian War of Independence]], his home was destroyed by Croatian forces, among whom was his childhood best friend, an ethnic Croat, forcing his parents to flee.<ref name=Seba-Sinisa/> His maternal uncle called his mother and said that she should stay in Borovo, and that Siniša's father was to be killed.<ref name=Seba-Sinisa/> His uncle was arrested when the [[Serbian Volunteer Guard]] took over Borovo, but was freed because he was related to Mihajlović.<ref name=Seba-Sinisa/> In a 2016 interview Mihajlović said he had forgiven his childhood friend in a meeting in [[Zagreb]] prior to the crucial [[UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying Group 8|Euro 2000 qualification]] match between [[Serbia and Montenegro national football team|FR Yugoslavia]] and [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://video.sky.it/sport/calcio-italiano/mister_cond_mihajlovic_e_lorrore_della_guerra_in_serbia/v277726.vid|title=Mister Condò, Mihajlovic e l'orrore della guerra in Serbia|access-date=15 April 2016|archive-date=6 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406071144/http://video.sky.it/sport/calcio-italiano/mister_cond_mihajlovic_e_lorrore_della_guerra_in_serbia/v277726.vid|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Club career==
===Early career===
Mihajlović started playing organized football with his hometown team [[NK Borovo]]. He quickly marked himself out as a talented youngster, making the [[Socialist Republic of Croatia|SR Croatia]] select squad for the Yugoslav inter-republic youth football tournaments.

In 1986, he was attached to NK Borovo's first team. Playing in the SR Croatia provincial league (third tier competition on the Yugoslav club football pyramid), his first team debut took place on 25 May 1986 against Šparta in [[Beli Manastir]]. The match ended 1–1 with Mihajlović scoring a goal. The 17-year-old also got his first taste of professionalism with his first monthly salary being [[Swiss franc|CHF]]500.<ref name="globus.jutarnji.hr">[http://globus.jutarnji.hr/zivot/stimac--pobijedit-cu-te-usred-maksimira- Štimac, pobijedit ću te usred Maksimira!] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722181532/http://globus.jutarnji.hr/zivot/stimac--pobijedit-cu-te-usred-maksimira- |date=22 July 2012 }};''Globus'', July 2012</ref>

In late 1986, [[Red Star Belgrade]] representatives led by scout [[Jovan Aćimović|Kule Aćimović]] came to watch the seventeen-year-old in a friendly Borovo played against [[FK Rad]], but decided not to sign him.<ref name="Veče sa Ivanom Ivanovićem">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsB8SvXigTI Veče sa Ivanom Ivanovićem], Prva TV, December 2011</ref>

Then in late spring 1987, with [[NK Rijeka]] and [[NK Dinamo Vinkovci|Dinamo Vinkovci]] both seeking to sign Mihajlović, [[NK Dinamo Zagreb|Dinamo Zagreb]]—led by club president Ivo Vrhovec and head coach [[Ćiro Blažević]]—also expressed an interest; their youth players [[Zvonimir Boban]] and [[Robert Prosinečki]] had been playing with Mihajlović on the SR Croatia select youth team at inter-republic and provincial youth tournaments and recommended him to the team.<ref name="globus.jutarnji.hr"/> After seeing Mihajlović in a training session, Blažević took him with the rest of the first team to [[Sassari]] for an impromptu getaway between two league matches towards the end of the [[1986–87 Yugoslav First League|season]], and gave him a substitute appearance in Dinamo shirt in a friendly against local club [[Sassari Torres|Torres Sassari]].<ref name="globus.jutarnji.hr"/>

In September 1987, Mihajlović was invited to join Dinamo's youth squad for a friendly tournament in [[Salem, Baden-Württemberg|Salem]], [[West Germany]] where he performed well.<ref name="Ciro-zidak">{{cite news|last=Židak |first=Tomislav |url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/ovo-je-slika-koju-jos-nikad-niste-vidjeli--sinisa-mihajlovic-u-dresu-dinama-/1052377 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908031838/http://www.jutarnji.hr/ovo-je-slika-koju-jos-nikad-niste-vidjeli--sinisa-mihajlovic-u-dresu-dinama-/1052377/ |archive-date=8 September 2012 |url-status=dead |title=Ovo je slika koju još nikad niste vidjeli: Siniša Mihajlović u dresu Dinama! |agency=[[Jutarnji list]] |date=6 September 2012 |access-date=17 December 2022}}</ref> However, no deal was agreed again as the club's head coach Ćiro Blažević felt that Dinamo already had players for the central midfield position that were "just as good if not better", such as incoming [[Haris Škoro]] as well as club mainstay [[Marko Mlinarić]] and returnee [[Stjepan Deverić]]. With Dinamo only prepared to offer a [[stipend]]-based agreement rather than a professional contract, Mihajlović decided to continue with NK Borovo.

The decision not to take Dinamo's offer cost Mihajlović a place in the [[Yugoslavia national under-20 football team|Yugoslavia under-20]]; head coach [[Mirko Jozić]] had told him that he would not be called up for the upcoming [[1987 FIFA World Youth Championship|FIFA World Youth Championship]] in Chile unless he signed with the Zagreb club.<ref name="globus.jutarnji.hr"/><ref name="miha-orlic">{{cite news|last=Orlić |first=Alen |url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/mihajlovic---ciro-me-potjerao-iz-dinama-zbog-frizure--a-bilica-sam-molio-da-me-dovede-u-hajduk-/1024100/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427015004/http://www.jutarnji.hr/mihajlovic---ciro-me-potjerao-iz-dinama-zbog-frizure--a-bilica-sam-molio-da-me-dovede-u-hajduk-/1024100/ |archive-date=27 April 2012 |url-status=dead |title=Mihajlović: 'Ćiro me potjerao iz Dinama zbog frizure, a Bilića sam molio da me dovede u Hajduk' |agency=[[Jutarnji list]] |date=25 April 2012 |access-date=17 December 2022}}</ref>

===Vojvodina===
Mihajlović signed for [[FK Vojvodina]] in 1988, as part of a group of players acquired by the club, which included defensive midfielder [[Slaviša Jokanović]], and defenders [[Budimir Vujačić]] and [[Miroslav Tanjga]].<ref name="miha-kosan-mondo">{{cite news|last=Vujičić |first=Milutin |url=https://mondo.rs/Sport/Fudbal/a1725598/Milorad-Kosanovic-o-Sinisi-Mihajlovicu-za-MONDO.html |title=Znam, zlato, zašto me zoveš... Kosanović se za MONDO oprostio od Mihe: Najbolje potrošeni milion u istoriji Zvezde! |agency=Mondo.rs |date=16 December 2022 |access-date=17 December 2022}}</ref> The club won the Yugoslav league title, with Mihajlović scoring four goals in 31 appearances. The following 1989–90 season saw Vojvodina compete in the [[1989–90 European Cup|European Cup]] for only the second time in their history, but lost in the first round to Hungarian champions [[Budapest Honvéd FC|Honvéd]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9dXaA9KWNw Vojvodina-Honved 2:1];European Cup, 27 September 1989</ref>

===Red Star Belgrade===
Mihajlović joined Red Star Belgrade on 10 December 1990 in a high-profile transfer with a transfer fee of [[Deutsche Mark|DM]]1 million paid out to Vojvodina.<ref name="miha-kosan-mondo"/> Arriving at a club coached by his old Vojvodina mentor Ljupko Petrović, Mihajlović was brought in to establish a robust presence on the left side of midfield as well as to score set-piece goals. In the European Cup [[1990–91 European Cup|semi-final]] return leg versus [[Bayern Munich]], Mihajlović scored both Red Star goals—a free-kick opener and the injury time winner with a shot that deflected off [[Klaus Augenthaler]]. In the [[1991 European Cup Final|final]], Red Star defeated [[Olympique de Marseille]] on penalties, after a 0–0 draw at full time, with Mihajlović being one of the shootout scorers.

Mihajlović was also in the team later that year when [[Red Star Belgrade]] won the [[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]], defeating [[Colo-Colo]] 3–0. He was then included by [[Yugoslavia national football team]] to [[UEFA Euro 1992]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1992/05/27/pagina-27/1245648/pdf.html|website=[[Mundo Deportivo]]|title=Pancev también renuncia a la Eurocopa|language=es|date=25 May 1992|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref> but the nation was disqualified from the competition by [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 757|United Nations sanctions]] due to the [[Yugoslav Wars]].

===Roma===
In the summer of 1992, amid interest from Juventus, Mihajlović signed for [[AS Roma|Roma]] for a reported [[Italian lira|ITL]]8.5 billion (~US$5.9 million) transfer fee,<ref>Calciatori ‒ La raccolta completa Panini 1961-2012, Vol. 9 (1992-1993), Panini, 2 luglio 2012, p. 10</ref> at the request of head coach [[Vujadin Boškov]], also a new arrival to [[Stadio Olimpico|Olimpico]]. The club were looking to improve on their previous season's 5th place league finish.

Mihajlović secured a regular first team spot in the left midfield, and the team finished 10th in the league. Mihajlović also played a significant part in Roma's [[1992–93 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup campaign]] where they reached the [[1992–93 UEFA Cup#Quarter-finals|quarterfinals]]—losing to [[Borussia Dortmund]] in a tie that saw the Serb score a trademark free-kick for a 1–0 first leg lead, before being beaten 2–0 in the return. Due to a long-term injury to Roma's [[left back]] [[Amedeo Carboni]] midway through the season, coach Boškov moved Mihajlović to the left back position.

The 1993–94 season started with new head coach [[Carlo Mazzone]] in charge after Boškov was sacked. In addition to the four foreigners already at the club, the club brought in Argentine [[Abel Balbo]] thus increasing competition for three foreign spots. Mihajlović continued as a left back under the new manager. In the [[1993–94 AS Roma season|1993–94 season]], the club finished 7th, and out of Europe for the second season running.

Years later, talking about his playing days, Mihajlović referred to his stay in Roma as "the two worst seasons of my entire career".<ref name="Veče sa Ivanom Ivanovićem"/>

===Sampdoria===
In 1994, Mihajlović joined [[UC Sampdoria|Sampdoria]], who were the third-placed club in [[1993–94 Serie A|previous season]]'s Serie A standings and the Coppa Italia winners, coached by [[Sven-Göran Eriksson]]. Also arriving the same summer were Inter stalwarts [[Walter Zenga]] and [[Riccardo Ferri]] as part of the deal that took goalkeeper [[Gianluca Pagliuca]] the other way.

In his four seasons at Sampdoria, Mihajlović saw limited success in the Serie A. In the European competitions, however, he helped Sampdoria reach the [[1994–95 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]] [[1994–95 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup#Semi-finals|semifinal]], where they were defeated by [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] on penalties.

In June 1998, Mihajlović represented FR Yugoslavia at the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]], playing all Yugoslav matches in the tournament. He scored a goal against [[Iran national football team|Iran]], and conceded an [[own goal]] against [[Germany national football team|Germany]]. This made Mihajlović one of five players to score both a goal and an own goal in the World Cup; the other ones being [[Ernie Brandts]], [[Ruud Krol]], [[Gustavo Peña]] and [[Mario Mandžukić]].{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

===Lazio===
In the summer of 1998, Mihajlović was brought to [[SS Lazio|Lazio]] by head coach Sven-Göran Eriksson and club president [[Sergio Cragnotti]] for [[British pound|£]]8.5 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOSWgzSB4xk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/dOSWgzSB4xk| archive-date=12 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Interview with Sinisa Mihajlovic - top free kick scorer|last=Mirko Rados|date=25 May 2008|publisher=YouTube|access-date=7 July 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He won his first trophy in Italy as Lazio beat [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] in the [[1998 Supercoppa Italiana|Supercoppa Italiana]] during late August 1998. The club [[1997–98 Serie A|finished 7th]] in Serie A.

Strengthening the squad for a serious run at the Serie A title, in addition to Mihajlović, the summer 1998 transfer window also saw Cragnotti bring in [[Dejan Stanković]] from [[Red Star Belgrade]], established goalscorer [[Marcelo Salas]] from [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]], and finally striker [[Christian Vieri]] from [[Atlético Madrid]].

With Lazio, Mihajlović reached the final of the 1999 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, winning the last edition of that competition with a 2–1 victory against [[RCD Mallorca]]. Lazio also won the 1999 [[UEFA Super Cup]]. Mihajlović played 26 times and scored seven goals during the [[1999–2000 Serie A]] season as Lazio won their second ''Scudetto''. Mihajlović completed the double by helping Lazio win the 2000 [[Coppa Italia]].

Mihajlović represented Yugoslavia internationally again, at the [[2000 UEFA European Football Championship|Euro 2000]] tournament. In the first Yugoslav game of the tournament, he was sent off against [[Slovenia national football team|Slovenia]]. He served a one-game suspension before playing the last two games of the tournament.

Mihajlović won his last trophy with Lazio in 2004, beating Juventus in the Coppa Italia final.

===Inter Milan===
In 2004, Mihajlović was released from Lazio and joined his friend and former teammate [[Roberto Mancini]] at [[Inter Milan]] on a free transfer, signing a one-year deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inter.it/it/news/23398|title=MERCATO: MIHAJLOVIC È DELL'INTER|date=30 July 2004|access-date=5 June 2015|publisher=FC Internazionale Milano|language=it|archive-date=6 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406041514/https://www.inter.it/it/news/23398|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 16 June 2005 Mihajlović signed a one-year extension.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inter.it/it/news/28125|title=MIHAJLOVIC: CON L'INTER FINO AL 2006|date=16 June 2006|access-date=5 June 2015|publisher=FC Internazionale Milano|language=it|archive-date=6 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406040307/https://www.inter.it/it/news/28125|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 9 April 2006, in a league away game versus [[Ascoli Calcio 1898|Ascoli]], he scored his 27th career [[Direct free kick|free-kick]] goal in the [[Serie A]] championship. He retired after the 2005–06 season.

During his time with Inter, he made 43 appearances and scored 6 goals, all from [[direct free kick]]s.

==International career==
Playing as a youth international, Mihajlović featured in 5 games at the [[1990 UEFA European Under-21 Championship]].<ref name="auto1">{{WorldFootball.net|sinisa-mihajlovic}}</ref>

Between 1991 and 2003, Mihajlović was capped 63 times and scored 10 goals for the [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]]/[[Serbia and Montenegro national football team|Serbia and Montenegro]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/joeg-recintlp.html|title=Yugoslavia (Serbia (and Montenegro)) - Record International Players|access-date=14 December 2024|website=[[RSSSF]]}}</ref> He participated at the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] where he scored a free-kick against [[Iran national football team|Iran]] as Yugoslavia reached the second round. He also participated at [[UEFA Euro 2000]]. He was sent off in Yugoslavia's opening game against [[Slovenia national football team|Slovenia]] but returned after a one match ban with Yugoslavia reaching the quarterfinal. His final international was a June 2003 [[UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying|European Championship qualification]] match away against [[Finland national football team|Finland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=13955|title=Siniša Mihajlović, international football player|access-date=14 December 2024|website=EU-football.info}}</ref>

==Style of play==
Early into his playing career, Mihajlović marked himself out with an extraordinary long-distance [[Shooting (association football)|striking]], [[Cross (football)|crossing]], and [[Passing (association football)|passing]] ability. His precise [[Curl (football)|curling]] yet hard-driven left-footed shot allowed him to score [[Direct free kick|free-kick]] goals on a regular basis. A set-piece and [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]] specialist,<ref name="Bologna, ecco Mihajlovic">{{cite web|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/SerieA/Squadre/Bologna/Primo_Piano/2008/11/04/mihajlovic.shtml|title=Bologna, ecco Mihajlovic "Non voglio giocatori mosci"|trans-title=Bologna, here is Mihajlovic "I don't want soft players"|publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|author1=Gianluca Orefice|date=4 November 2008|access-date=26 August 2015}}</ref> Mihajlović has said that he has scored free-kicks from as far as 35 yards, adding in a 2000 interview with BBC Sport: "I like to shoot with a swerve into both sides of the net. I often try scoring directly from the corners.".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/euro2000/teams/yugoslavia/786501.stm|title=BBC SPORT - EURO2000 - YUGOSLAVIA - Mihajlovic to the rescue|website=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref> Regarded as one of the greatest free kick takers of all time, he was capable of both scoring and creating chances from dead ball opportunities,<ref name="Mihajlovic laureato in punizioni">{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/1997/febbraio/26/Mihajlovic_laureato_punizioni_ga_0_97022610753.shtml|title=Mihajlovic laureato in punizioni|trans-title=Mihajlovic degree in free-kicks|publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|author1=Germano Bovolenta|date=26 February 1997|access-date=26 August 2015}}</ref> and holds the record for the [[Football records in Italy#Most goals from a free kick|most goals in Serie A from free-kicks]], as well as the record for second most goals from free kicks for a single Serie A club in all competitions, with 43, behind [[Alessandro Del Piero]]. Along with [[Giuseppe Signori]], he is one of only two players who have scored a hat-trick from free kicks in Serie A, a feat which he accomplished during his time with Lazio, in a 5–2 win over Sampdoria, on 13 December 1998, during the 1998–99 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/1998/dicembre/14/Record_Mihajlovic_mai_gol_punizione_ga_0_9812144971.shtml|title=Record Mihajlovic: mai 3 gol su punizione diretta|trans-title=Mihajlovic record: never before 3 goals from direct free-kicks|publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|author1=Lanfredo Birelli|date=14 December 1998|access-date=26 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="calciomercato.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.calciomercato.com/altre-notizie/juventus-del-piero-vs-mihajlovic-512508 |title=Juventus, Del Piero: Due gol... per Mihajlovic | Altre notizie |work=Calciomercato.com | Tutte le news sul calcio in tempo reale |publisher=Calciomercato.com |language=it |date=4 February 2014}}</ref>

During his club career in Yugoslavia with Vojvodina and Red Star Belgrade as well as during his early spell at Roma, he played on the left side of midfield as [[Left winger|winger]], or as an [[attacking midfielder]] or [[second striker]] on occasion, where he was known for his stamina, speed, foot-work, and ability to cover the flank with his runs, as well as his excellent ball-striking ability with his left foot, and his ability to dictate attacking plays in midfield.<ref name="Mihajlovic laureato in punizioni"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2015/08/17/red-star-triumph-of-1991/ |title=Red Star and the immortal triumph of 1991 |publisher=hesefootballtimes.co |last1=Aspey |first1=Jonathon |date=17 August 2015 |access-date=14 July 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-team-dismantled-by-war-red-star-belgrades-final-european-triumph/ |title=The Team Dismantled by War: Red Star Belgrade's Final European Triumph |work=Vice |last1=O'Connor |first1=Robert |date=5 June 2015 |access-date=14 July 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://football-italia.net/eriksson-miha-became-one-of-the-best/ |title=Eriksson: 'Miha became one of the best' |publisher=Football Italia |date=26 March 2020 |access-date=11 June 2024 }}</ref> Upon moving to Italy, midway through his first season in Serie A, Mihajlović was moved to the position of [[left back]] by Roma head coach [[Vujadin Boškov]]. The following season, under Roma's new head coach [[Carlo Mazzone]], he mostly continued at left back while occasionally being deployed as a [[Defensive Midfielder|defensive midfielder]], although his performances in this position were somewhat inconsistent due to his limited tactical sense. In 1994, after transferring to Sampdoria under head coach [[Sven-Göran Eriksson]], Mihajlović was moved to the centre of the team's defensive line, and remained in this position for the rest of his career. He later excelled in this newfound [[Centre-back|centre back]] role, where he functioned as a [[Sweeper (association football)|sweeper]], due to his consistent defensive displays, physique, intelligence, leadership, and tenacity, as well as his good technique, touch on the ball, and long passing ability, which enabled him to play the ball out from the back; he drew praise from manager Carlo Mazzone, in particular, who described him as one of the best players in the world in his position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1999/ottobre/21/Mihajlovic_merita_Pallone_oro_co_10_9910215391.shtml|title=Mihajlovic merita il Pallone d' oro|trans-title=Mihajlovic deserves the Ballon d'Or|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|author1=Giuseppe Toti|date=21 October 1999|access-date=26 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1999/ottobre/22/Mazzone_Mihajlovic_piu_forte_tutti_co_10_9910225476.shtml|title=Mazzone: "Mihajlovic e' il piu' forte di tutti"|trans-title=Mazzone: "Mihajlovic is the best of them all"|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|author1=Stefano Petrucci|date=22 October 1999|access-date=26 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/euro2000/teams/yugoslavia/squad/746760.stm |title=Sinisa Mihajlovic |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=26 October 2019}}</ref>

==Managerial career==
===Assistant at Inter Milan===
After retiring from playing at [[Inter Milan]], Mihajlović began a coaching career at San Siro as assistant to head coach [[Roberto Mancini]]. Mihajlović and Mancini had played together for five seasons at Sampdoria and Lazio.

Mihajlović's free-kick expertise has been praised by [[Zlatan Ibrahimović]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.footballpress.net/?action=read&idsel=46855|title=FOOTBALLpress.net news: BARCA, Ibrahimovic: " Mihajlovic {{sic|teac|hed|nolink=y}} me how to score from free kicks"|date=23 July 2011|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723131955/http://www.footballpress.net/?action=read&idsel=46855|archive-date=23 July 2011}}</ref> who after several successful free-kicks thanked the then assistant coach Mihajlović who had trained him for two years at Inter.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.fotbollsverige.se/news_show_tranade-frisparkar-med-mihajlovic.html?id=8834668 | title = Tränade frisparkar med Mihajlovic | language = sv | publisher = fotbollsverige.se | date = 26 October 2009 | access-date =26 May 2012}}</ref>

Mancini was fired in June 2008 by club president [[Massimo Moratti]] at the end of the [[2007–08 Serie A|2007–08 season]] to make way for [[José Mourinho]]. Mihajlović left the club at the same time.

===Bologna===
On 3 November 2008, Mihajlović was appointed to replace [[Daniele Arrigoni]] at Serie A relegation-battling club [[Bologna FC 1909|Bologna]].<ref name="mihajlovic_bologna">{{cite news|publisher=Bologna FC 1909 |url=http://www.bolognafc.it/pagen.asp?c=4915&m=11&l=1 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090919123831/http://www.bolognafc.it/pagen.asp?c=4915&m=11&l=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 September 2009 |title=Il Bologna a Mihajlovic |date=3 November 2008 |access-date=3 November 2008 |language=it }}</ref> His Serie A bench debut came on 8 November 2008 at home versus [[AS Roma|Roma]]. The match ended in a 1–1 draw. His tenure began with five consecutive league draws before a 5–2 victory against relegation rivals [[Torino FC|Torino]] on 13 December 2008.

Mihajlović was sacked by Bologna on 14 April 2009 in the wake of a 1–4 home defeat against [[AC Siena|Siena]], which dragged the team back into the relegation zone with seven matches remaining in the season. His tenure suffered from media rumours that he had numerous high-profile disagreements with senior players at the club which led to the poor form that eventually cost him the job.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/04/14/1208405/breaking-news-bologna-sack-sinisa-mihajlovic-appoint-giuseppe-pa|title=Official: Bologna Sack Sinisa Mihajlovic, Appoint Giuseppe Papadopulo |website=Goal.com|date=14 April 2009|access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref> Under new head coach [[Giuseppe Papadopulo]], Bologna avoided relegation to the [[Serie B]] on the last day of the season with a win over [[Calcio Catania|Catania]].

===Catania===
On 8 December 2009, Mihajlović was appointed new head coach of [[Calcio Catania|Catania]], taking over from [[Gianluca Atzori]].
<ref name="mihajlovic_catania">{{cite news|url=http://calciocatania.net/comunicati/comunicati.php?id=18160|language=it|publisher=Calcio Catania|access-date=8 December 2009|date=8 December 2009|title=Sinisa Mihajlovic è il nuovo allenatore del Catania|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620224300/http://calciocatania.net/comunicati/comunicati.php?id=18160|archive-date=20 June 2010}}</ref> He signed a contract until June 2011 with ''gli elefanti'', hiring [[Dario Marcolin]]—his former teammate at Lazio and colleague on Mancini's coaching staff at Inter—to be his assistant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheminute.com/news/news.php?news=19748|title=Man City defender returns to action |website=Ontheminute.com|date=8 December 2009 |access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref> Arriving at the club [[2009–10 Serie A#Positions by round|last in Serie A]], Mihajlović made his debut with a home loss against relegation rivals [[AS Livorno Calcio|Livorno]]. However, the following week, his team beat heavily favoured Juventus away in Turin with a 1–2 scoreline.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.b92.net/sport/intervjui/intervjui.php?yyyy=2009&mm=12&nav_category=91&nav_id=399623|title=Mihajlović za B92: "Verovao sam u pobedu"|website=B92.net|date=21 December 2009 |access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref>

A string of good results, together with a number of key January signings such as former Argentine international striker [[Maxi López]], helped Mihajlović keep the team out of the relegation zone. On 13 March 2010, Catania won 3–1 against league leaders and Mihajlović's former team [[Inter Milan]].

Led by Mihajlović, Catania finished the season in 13th spot, well out of the relegation zone.

He resigned at the end of the season on 24 May 2010 amid reports linking him to incumbent [[UEFA Champions League]] winners Inter as a replacement for outgoing boss [[José Mourinho]],<ref name="mihajlovic_catania_resigned">{{cite news |url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/SerieA/Catania/24-05-2010/mihajlovic-saluta-catania-604106965941.shtml|publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |access-date=24 May 2010 |date=24 May 2010 |title=Mihajlovic saluta Catania C'è l'Inter dietro l'angolo}}</ref> which did not come to anything in the end.

===Fiorentina===
On 3 June 2010, Mihajlović was announced as the new head coach of [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]], replacing outgoing [[Cesare Prandelli]] who had left the Tuscan club to become the manager of the [[Italy national football team|Italy national team]].

Fiorentina had finished the [[2009–10 Serie A]] campaign in eleventh place, but had made the [[2009–10 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Round of 16|Champions League round-of-16 stage]] where they were eliminated by [[Bayern Munich]] on away goals. Mihajlović signed a two-year contract on a salary of just under €1 million per year.<ref>[http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/?action=read&id=209847 Da Prandelli a Sinisa: come cambia la Fiorentina];TuttoMercatoWeb, 28 May 2010</ref> Mihajlović stated that making Europe was a realistic goal for the season.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120729195342/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/981809/gotta:-fiorentina's-axing-of-sinisa-mihajlovic?cc=5901 Mihajlovic carved up];ESPNSoccernet, 10 November 2011</ref>

====2010–11 season====
The team suffered poor form in the first part of the season, with injuries to some key players. They finished the first half of the season in twelfth spot. Mihajlović signed winger [[Valon Behrami]] from [[West Ham United]], but the alternating home and away form improved only slightly as the head coach experimented with various tactical formations.

In February 2011, Fiorentina won on the road for the first time in the season with a win at Palermo. In March 2011, the team recorded two straight wins for the first time in the season, climbing up to eighth spot. The club finished the [[2010–11 Serie A|league season]] with 12 wins (only three of those away from home), 11 losses, and 15 draws, which secured ninth place – twelve points out of a European spot.

====2011–12 season====
During the summer 2011 transfer season, Mihajlović was strongly linked with a return to Inter in head coaching capacity, with some Italian papers even reporting the specific date of his unveiling at the ''nerazzurri'' following supposed successful negotiations with Inter's sporting director [[Marco Branca]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sport.blic.rs/Fudbal/Evropski-fudbal/199086/Korejere-delo-Sport-Mihajlovic-u-Interu|title="Korejere delo Sport": Mihajlović u Interu!|date=21 November 2015|website=Sport.blic.rs|access-date=7 July 2017 |last1=Com |first1=Makonda }}</ref> However, Mihajlović denied those claims, pledging to stay on in Florence.<ref>[http://sport.blic.rs/Fudbal/Evropski-fudbal/199121/Mihajlovic-Zelim-da-ostanem-u-Fiorentini-jos-dugo Mihajlović: Želim da ostanem u Fiorentini još dugo];''Blic'', 19 June 2011</ref>

The [[2011–12 ACF Fiorentina season|season]] began in August 2011, with a [[2011–12 Coppa Italia|Coppa Italia]] [[2011–12 Coppa Italia#Fiorentina v Cittadella|win over]] [[AS Cittadella]]. However, poor league form including five matches without a win put Mihajlović's position under pressure. At a home match against Genoa in October 2011, Fiorentina's supporters shouted abuse from the terraces throughout the match with calls for Mihajlović's sacking and even racist banners and chants targeting the coach's ethnicity.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120804005821/http://www.kurir-info.rs/navijaci-fjorentine-sinisa-zlobni-srbine-clanak-120026 Navijači Fjorentine: Siniša, zlobni Srbine!];''Kurir'', 2 November 2011</ref> The fans' verbal abuse of Mihajlović made headlines for the next couple of days and sections of Fiorentina support issued an apology to the coach by hanging a banner outside of the stadium.<ref>[http://sg.news.yahoo.com/fiorentina-fans-apologise-racist-mihajlovic-chant-130144564.html Fiorentina fans apologise for racist Mihajlovic chant];AFP News, 2 November 2011</ref><ref>[http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2011/11/03/2741138/fiorentina-supporters-apologise-for-criticising-sinisa Fiorentina supporters apologise for criticising Sinisa Mihajlovic – report];goal.com, 3 November 2011</ref> Mihajlović was sacked on 7 November 2011, one day after a 1–0 away loss to [[ChievoVerona]].<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/sinisa-mihajlovic-steps-down-as-fiorentina-manager-6258802.html Sinisa Mihajlovic steps down as Fiorentina manager];''The Independent'', 8 November 2011</ref> The team was in 13th place in the league with 12 points from 10 matches.

===Serbia===
In May 2012, the [[Football Association of Serbia]] signed Mihajlović to become the head coach of the [[Serbia national football team|Serbia national team]] until the end of the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]] in Brazil.<ref name="B92 selektor">{{cite web |url=https://www.b92.net/sport/fudbal/vesti.php?yyyy=2012&mm=05&dd=19&nav_id=610687 |author=[[B92]] |title=B92: Mihajlović zvanično selektor |accessdate=16 April 2022 |date=19 May 2012 |language=Serbian}}</ref> Serbia finished third in [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group A|Group A]] of the [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|qualifying phase]] in October 2013 after which he resigned.

===Sampdoria===
On 20 November 2013, Sampdoria named Mihajlović as the new head coach in place for [[Delio Rossi]]. He signed a one-year rolling contract with automatic extension in case of a successful escape from relegation in the ongoing season, with his assistant coach [[Nenad Sakić]] (a former Sampdoria player himself) following him too.

During his first season in charge, he guided Sampdoria to significant improvements in results and easily escaped relegation. He successively agreed to stay for one more season, after talks with new president [[:it: Massimo Ferrero|Massimo Ferrero]], who took over from the Garrone family in July 2014. In the first weeks of the 2014–15 season, he managed to obtain eight points and no defeats in the first four games of the season, overseeing quality performances from players such as [[Stefano Okaka]]. On 1 June 2015 he wrote an open letter to confirm his departure as the head coach of Sampdoria.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sampdoria.it/lettera-aperta-di-sinisa-mihajlovic-arrivederci-samp-resterai-casa-mia/|title=Lettera aperta di Sinisa Mihajlovic: "Arrivederci Samp, resterai casa mia"|date=1 June 2015|access-date=4 June 2015|publisher=UC Sampdoria|language=it}}</ref>

===Milan===
[[File:Sinisa 2015 (cropped).jpg|220px|thumb|right|Mihajlović in 2015]]
On 16 June 2015, [[AC Milan|Milan]] officially sacked [[Filippo Inzaghi]], appointing Mihajlović as their new manager, with a contract until 30 June 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title=sinisa Mihajlovic ha firmato un contratto |trans-title=Sinisa Mihajlovic signed a two-year contract |url=http://www.acmilan.com/it/news/show/157688 |work=acmilan.com |publisher=Associazione Calcio Milan |access-date=16 June 2015|language=it}}</ref> During his tenure at the club, he was highly praised for trusting and giving playing opportunities to [[Gianluigi Donnarumma]], who was only 16 years old at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/100256/%E2%80%98donnarumma-won%E2%80%99t-be-fazed%E2%80%99|title='Donnarumma won't be fazed' {{!}} Football Italia|website=Football-italia.net|access-date=28 March 2017}}</ref> Mihajlović was sacked on 12 April 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/82702/official-milan-sack-mihajlovic|title=Official: Milan sack Mihajlovic - Football Italia|website=Football-italia.net|date=12 April 2016 |access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref>

===Torino===

On 25 May 2016, Mihajlović was officially appointed as the new manager of [[Torino FC|Torino]], taking over from [[Gian Piero Ventura]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/84911/official-miha-ventura-out-torino|title=Official: Miha in, Ventura out at Torino|date=25 May 2016|access-date=25 May 2016|publisher=Football Italia}}</ref> He made his debut on the ''Granata'' bench on 13 August 2016 at the [[Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino]] with a 4–1 home win over [[Pro Vercelli]] in the third round of the [[Coppa Italia]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://torinofc.it/news/13/08/2016/torino-pro-vercelli-4-1_12021|title=Torino-Pro Vercelli 4-1|website=TORINO FC 1906 SITO UFFICIALE}}</ref> Mihajlović fielded Torino with an aggressive 4-3-3 formation and by the midway point of the season registered a record for points (29) whilst under the presidency of [[Urbano Cairo]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://torinofc.it/news/09/01/2017/mihajlovic-servono-pi%C3%B9-cattiveria-e-lucidit%C3%A0_13490|title=Mihajlovic: "Servono più cattiveria e lucidità"|website=TORINO FC 1906 SITO UFFICIALE|date=6 November 2023 }}</ref> but a less brilliant second half of the season ended with Torino in ninth place. He was sacked on 4 January 2018 following a 2–0 defeat to Juventus in the Coppa Italia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/115098/official-torino-sack-mihajlovic|title=Official: Torino sack Mihajlovic - Football Italia|website=football-italia.net|date=4 January 2018 }}</ref>

===Sporting CP===
On 18 June 2018, Mihajlović took over as manager of [[Sporting CP]], signing a three-year contract with the Portuguese club.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Sporting unveil Sinisa Mihajlovic as coach to defuse crisis | work = The Times of India| date = 18 June 2018 | access-date = 18 June 2018 | url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/sporting-unveil-sinisa-mihajlovic-as-coach-to-defuse-crisis/articleshow/64634660.cms}}</ref> Nine days after his arrival, he was sacked due to change of executive staff.<ref name="SportingSacked18">{{cite news |title=Sporting Lisbon: Sinisa Mihajlovic sacked after just nine days |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44637931 |access-date=29 June 2018 |work=bbc.com |date=27 June 2018}}</ref>

===Return to Bologna===
On 28 January 2019, Bologna parted ways with [[Filippo Inzaghi]] due to a series of poor results, and Mihajlović took over at the club for the second time in his managerial career.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bologna: esonerato Inzaghi. Mihajlovic è il nuovo tecnico |url=https://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/serie-a/bologna/2019/01/28/news/bologna_inzaghi_verso_l_esonero_mihajlovic_in_pole-217665789/ |date=28 January 2019 |access-date=28 January 2019 |work=Repubblica.it}}</ref>

The team scored 30 points in his first 17 games, in comparison with 14 points achieved under Inzaghi; thanks to those results, Mihajlović managed to keep Bologna into the top flight with ease, and he was retained as manager for the following season.

On 13 July 2019, Mihajlović announced that he had been diagnosed with an acute form of [[leukemia]], but that he planned to stay in charge of the club while undergoing treatment.<ref name=leukemia>{{cite news |url=https://www.football-italia.net/140736/live-mihajlovic-i-have-leukemia |publisher=Football Italia |access-date=13 July 2019 |date=13 July 2019 |title=Mihajlovic: 'I have leukemia'}}</ref>

Mihajlović was sacked on 6 September 2022, after Bologna secured only three points from its first five matches in [[2022–23 Serie A|Serie A]], ending his three-and-a-half-year spell with the club.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sport |first=Redazione |date=9 June 2022 |title=Mihajlovic esonerato dal Bologna: per i rossoblu 3 punti in 5 gare |url=https://www.corriere.it/sport/calcio/serie-a/22_settembre_06/mihajlovic-esonero-bologna-8e02eef8-2d34-11ed-82e8-8adda605a86c.shtml |access-date=6 September 2022 |website=Corriere della Sera |language=it-IT}}</ref>

==Controversies==
===As a player===
Mihajlović developed and fostered a reputation as a hard-nosed, tough-tackling player with a short fuse and no fear. As such he had many physical and verbal run-ins with opposing players that occasionally spilled outside of the pitch.{{citation needed|date=March 2012}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bergamopost.it/chi-e/mihajlovic-il-burbero-che-tutti-vogliono/|title=Sinisa, il burbero che tutti vogliono|trans-title=Sinisa, the tough guy that everyone wants|work=Bergamo Post|language=it|date=16 April 2015|access-date=26 August 2015}}</ref>

Already known as a player not backing away from physical play, the 22-year-old was one of the main protagonists of the ill-tempered [[1991 Yugoslav Cup Final]] between Red Star and Hajduk Split on 8 May 1991 at the [[JNA Stadium]] in front of 7,000 spectators.<ref name="Kup-1991">{{cite web|url=https://mondo.rs/Sport/Fudbal/a1468737/finale-kup-marsala-tita-crvena-zvezda-hajduk-split-godisnjica-30-godina.html|title=Jugoslavija se raspadala na JNA, a Hajduk Zvezdi odneo i sakrio pehar: 30 godina od poslednjeg finala Kupa maršala Tita!|publisher=Mondo.rs|language=sr|date=8 May 2021|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref> Although of secondary importance to Red Star, which was getting ready for the European Cup Final three weeks later, the match still featured a degree of tension due to pitting a Serbian side against a Croatian one in an atmosphere of inter-ethnic incidents between Croats and [[Serbs of Croatia|Croatian Serbs]] in eastern [[Slavonia]] and [[Dalmatia]] regions of SR Croatia, including Mihajlović's hometown Borovo that saw a [[Battle of Borovo Selo|massacre]] only six days before the final. Early in the match Hajduk's 23-year-old defender [[Igor Štimac]] and Mihajlović began insulting each other, and according to Mihajlović during one of their exchanges Štimac told him: "I hope our guys kill all of your family in Borovo."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvxIsjkj3GE#t=1922s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/XvxIsjkj3GE| archive-date=12 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=TifoTV SERIES .. HAJDUKOV RATNI TROFEJ|last=Ultras Channel TifoTV|date=21 August 2012|publisher=YouTube|access-date=7 July 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alo.rs/sport/48907/Sprema_se_novi_duel_Miha_vs_Stimac |title=Alo | Sport | Sprema se novi duel Miha vs Štimac! |access-date=5 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508042819/http://www.alo.rs/sport/48907/Sprema_se_novi_duel_Miha_vs_Stimac|archive-date=8 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://mondo.rs/Sport/Fudbal/a1397055/sinisa-mihajlovic-igor-stimac-arkan-pretnje-smrcu.html|title=Mihajlović o poseti Arkanovoj vili i pretnjama smrću: Štimac mi je u tunelu rekao da se moli Bogu za smrt moje porodice!|publisher=Mondo.rs|language=sr|date=12 November 2020|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref> In the 70th minute Mihajlović slid in for a hard tackle on another Hajduk player [[Grgica Kovač]] that led to play temporarily being stopped as both sets of players confronted each other. Mihajlović was led away by Hajduk player [[Ante Miše]] (the two knew each other as they were both from Borovo) who grabbed him by the hair while Red Star's [[Ilija Najdoski]] grabbed Hajduk's [[Slaven Bilić]] by the hair at which point Štimac jumped into the fracas with a raised fist attempting to punch Najdoski. Mihajlović received a second yellow for the challenge on Kovač, and the referee Adem Fazlagić also gave Štimac a second yellow, which meant both players got sent off.<ref name="Kup-1991"/>

Several years later, in October 2000, Mihajlović raised a storm of controversy due to allegedly directing racist remarks at [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]'s [[Patrick Vieira]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Stefano|last=Boldrini|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2000/ottobre/19/Mihajlovic_gli_insulti_razzisti_Non_co_0_001019839.shtml|title=Mihajlovic e gli insulti razzisti: "Non mi pento"|trans-title=Mihajlovic and his racist insults: "I don't regret them"|publisher=[[Corriere della Sera]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213055725/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2000/ottobre/19/Mihajlovic_gli_insulti_razzisti_Non_co_0_001019839.shtml|language=it|date=19 October 2000|access-date=26 August 2015|archivedate=13 December 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> The incident occurred during an ill-tempered Lazio vs Arsenal [[2000–01 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]] [[2000–01 UEFA Champions League first group stage#Lazio v Arsenal|match]] on 17 October 2000 at [[Stadio Olimpico]]. Throughout the contest, Mihajlović had run-ins with several Arsenal players, including [[Martin Keown]] and [[Robert Pires]]. After the final whistle, Mihajlović and Vieira were seen trading insults and trying to get at one another physically before being restrained by teammates. After the match, Vieira spoke to the media, accusing Mihajlović of [[Racism in association football|racist]] abuse, saying that Mihajlović had called him "nero di merda" (black piece of shit) or "fucking black monkey."<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/nov/06/sport.comment1|title=Is Sinisa Mihajlovic the nastiest man in football?|first1=Matt|last1=Scott|first2=Ian|last2=Traynor|date=6 November 2003|website=The Guardian|access-date=29 August 2019}}</ref> Mihajlović subsequently apologized, but contended that his words were in retaliation to Vieira calling him a "zingaro di merda" ([[Antiziganism|Gypsy piece of shit]]).<ref name = "marcotti">{{cite web|author=[[Gabriele Marcotti]]|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/gabriele_marcotti/news/2001/01/02/marcotti_insider/|title=Making Mihajlovic into a villain not really fair|publisher=[[CNNSI.com]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010124064900/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/gabriele_marcotti/news/2001/01/02/marcotti_insider/|date=2 January 2001|access-date=17 December 2022|archivedate=24 January 2001|url-status=dead}}</ref> Two months later, in December 2000, Mihajlović came under police investigation over the event for possibly violating an anti-racism law in Italy. Italian investigators planned on using Mihajlović's own post-game admission about insulting Vieira to file charges of violating a 1993 law that criminalizes the "spreading ... of ideas based on racial or ethnic superiority or hate",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/2000/12/22/lazio_racism_ap/|title=Possible conviction: Lazio star faces criminal charges for racist episode|publisher=[[CNNSI.com]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010124040200/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/2000/12/22/lazio_racism_ap/|date=22 December 2000|access-date=17 December 2022|archivedate=24 January 2001|url-status=dead}}</ref> but no charges were made. Six years later Mihajlović and Vieira became part of the same team when the Senegalese-born Frenchman joined Inter where Mihajlović was already assistant to head coach Roberto Mancini. Vieira was later one of the guests for Mihajlović's [[testimonial match]] on 28 May 2007 in [[Novi Sad]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGjHZ41V-b4#t=4908s |title=YouTube|website=Youtube.com|access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref>

On 7 November 2003, Mihajlović received an eight-match suspension by [[UEFA]] for spitting at and kicking [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]'s [[Adrian Mutu]] during a [[2003–04 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] [[2003–04 UEFA Champions League group stage#Lazio v Chelsea|group stage match]].<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/3251405.stm Uefa bans Mihajlovic], BBC Sport, 7 November 2003</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2003/k/sezioni/sport/calcio/champions_league/miha/miha/miha.html|title=Mihajlovic, otto turni di stop per lo sputo in Champions League|trans-title=Mihajlovic, eight match suspension for spitting in the Champions League|publisher=La Repubblica|language=it|date=7 November 2003|access-date=26 August 2015}}</ref> Six and a half years later, Mihajlović became the head coach of [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]], where Mutu was playing at the time.

===As a manager===
A vocal and outspoken presence, known for his leadership,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/serie-a/milan/2015/08/16/news/milan_mihajlovic_cita_boniperti_conta_solo_vincere_-121074984/|title=Mihajlovic si prende il Milan: ''Sarò io il tuo leader''|publisher=La Repubblica|language=it|author1=STEFANO SCACCHI|date=16 August 2015|access-date=10 December 2016}}</ref> Mihajlović attracted much controversy throughout both his playing and coaching careers, for his political views and affiliations.<ref name="Bologna, ecco Mihajlovic"/><ref name="auto"/>

Amid [[Javier Clemente]]'s failure to qualify the [[Serbia national football team|Serbia national team]] for [[Euro 2008]], and Serbian press reports that then [[Inter Milan]] assistant coach Mihajlović was set to take over,<ref>[http://www.pressonline.rs/sport/ostali-sportovi/19378/sinisa-selektor-srbije.html SINIŠA SELEKTOR SRBIJE!];''Press'', 5 September 2007</ref> Mihajlović publicly came out against the [[Football Association of Serbia|Serbia FA]] (FSS) president [[Zvezdan Terzić]], accusing him in October 2007 of "giving national team call-ups to players [he had private contracts with] in order to boost their transfer value".<ref>[http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2011&mm=01&dd=16&nav_category=120&nav_id=486201 Počinje suđenje Zvezdanu Terziću];B92, 16 January 2011</ref> Terzić did not directly respond to the accusation, which Mihajlović repeated several months later during early March 2008 in the wake of Terzić's time on the run from Serbian law enforcement over accusations of player transfer fee skimming.<ref>[http://www.pressonline.rs/sport/ostali-sportovi/31458/terzic-me-ucenjivao.html TERZIĆ ME UCENJIVAO!];''[[Press (Belgrade newspaper)|Press]]'', 5 March 2008</ref>

In May 2012, Mihajlović landed the Serbia national team head coaching job (under the new FA president [[Tomislav Karadžić]]) and instituted a new code-of-conduct to be signed by players called up for international duty. One of the central points was his insistence that players sing the national anthem before matches. On 28 May, after [[Adem Ljajić]] failed to do so despite signing the code-of-conduct, Mihajlović removed him from the national team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/esteri/2012/05/28/news/serbia_ljajic-36082513/|title=Ljajic non canta l'inno Mihajlovic lo caccia|trans-title=Ljajic doesn't sing the national anthem Mihajlovic sends him away|publisher=La Repubblica|language=it|date=28 May 2012|access-date=26 August 2015}}</ref>

In December 2012, Mihajlović sued [[Sports agent#Association football|football agent]] Zoran Đurić for libel over his claims expressed during SOS channel's ''Total Soccer'' programme that "sports agents Fali Ramadani and [[Sergio Berti]] have a large influence on Mihajlović's national team squad selection".<ref>[http://www.b92.net/sport/fudbal/vesti.php?yyyy=2012&mm=12&dd=07&nav_id=667085 Miha tuži menadžera zbog Faljija];B92, 7 December 2012</ref><ref>[http://www.kurir-info.rs/mihajlovic-tuzi-menadzera-zbog-dusevnog-bola-clanak-549347 Mihajlović tuži menadžera zbog duševnog bola];''Kurir'', 7 December 2012</ref>

In late March 2013, in the wake of the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]] [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group A|qualifier]] loss to Croatia, Mihajlović and Terzić reignited their public feud from six years prior, with the former Serbian FA president—who had in the meantime returned to the country from being on the run and completed a prison term following a plea deal—repeating Đurić's accusation about Mihajlović having "his national team match day squads selected by Sergio Berti".<ref>[http://www.kurir-info.rs/menadzeri-su-nam-upropastili-fudbal-clanak-711395 Menadžeri su nam upropastili fudbal!];''Kurir'', 24 March 2013</ref> Mihajlović announced plans to sue Terzić for libel over the remark.<ref>[http://sport.blic.rs/Fudbal/Svetski-fudbal/230491/Mihajlovic-Tuzicu-Terzica-zato-sto-je-rekao-da-mi-Serdjo-Berti-sastavlja-tim Mihajlović: Tužiću Terzića zato što je rekao da mi Serđo Berti sastavlja tim];''Blic'', 26 March 2013</ref>

==Personal life and death==
Mihajlović was married to Arianna Rapaccioni, an Italian former television presenter, with whom he had five children: three sons and two daughters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilsecoloxix.it/sport/2013/11/14/news/sinisa-e-la-moglieil-punto-di-forza-1.32343811|title=Sinisa? È la moglieil punto di forza|publisher=ilsecoloxix.it|date=14 November 2013|language=it}}</ref> On 13 July 2019, Mihajlović announced that he had been diagnosed with an acute form of [[leukemia]], but would stay on as manager of Bologna.<ref name=leukemia/> He underwent a [[bone marrow transplant]] after three cycles of chemotherapy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.football-italia.net/148259/mihajlovic-every-moment-priceless|title=Mihajlovic: 'Every moment priceless'|publisher=Football Italia|date=4 January 2020}}</ref>

In October 2021, he became a grandfather, after his daughter Virginia gave birth to a daughter. The father is [[Alessandro Vogliacco]], who, at the time, played for [[Genoa CFC|Genoa]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sport.sky.it/calcio/serie-a/2021/10/28/virginia-mihajlovic-figlia-sinisa-mamma |publisher=SKY Sport |language=it |access-date=25 November 2021 |date=28 October 2021 |title=Sinisa Mihajlovic è nonno: la figlia Virginia è diventata mamma di Violante}}</ref>

Mihajlović died on 16 December 2022 at a clinic in [[Rome]], following complications of leukemia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/16-12-2022/morto-sinisa-mihajlovic-aveva-53-anni-2019-era-malato-leucemia-4501530840933.shtml |publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |title=Addio a Mihajlovic, il duro dal cuore grande: è morto di leucemia a 53 anni|date=16 December 2022}}</ref><ref name="AP-Obit">{{cite news |title=Siniša Mihajlović, soccer player and coach, dies at 53 |url=https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-sports-soccer-rome-leukemia-ab738ef546fa9460bdbfa3fff708f7a5 |access-date=16 December 2022 |work=AP NEWS |date=16 December 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref name="auto1"/>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[Yugoslav Cup]], [[Coppa Italia]]}}
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[FK Vojvodina|Vojvodina]]
|[[1988–89 Yugoslav First League|1988–89]]
|[[Yugoslav First League]]
|31||4||||||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||31||4
|-
|[[1989–90 Yugoslav First League|1989–90]]
|Yugoslav First League
|28||11||||||2{{efn|name=EC}}||1||colspan="2"|—||30||12
|-
|[[1990–91 Yugoslav First League|1990–91]]
|Yugoslav First League
|14||4||||||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||14||4
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!73!!19!!!!!!2!!1!!colspan="2"|—!!75!!20
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Red Star Belgrade]]
|[[1990–91 Red Star Belgrade season|1990–91]]
|Yugoslav First League
|14||1||3||1||5{{efn|name=EC|Appearances in [[European Cup]]}}||1||colspan="2"|—||22||3
|-
|[[1991–92 Red Star Belgrade season|1991–92]]
|Yugoslav First League
|24||8||8||3||10{{efn|name=EC}}||4||2{{efn|One appearance in [[UEFA Super Cup]], one appearance in [[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]]}}||0||44||15
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!38!!9!!11!!4!!15!!5!!2!!0!!66!!18
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[AS Roma|Roma]]
|[[1992–93 AS Roma season|1992–93]]
|[[Serie A]]
|29||1||7||5||5{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||1||colspan="2"|—||41||7
|-
|[[1993–94 AS Roma season|1993–94]]
|Serie A
|25||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||28||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!54!!1!!10!!5!!5!!1!!colspan="2"|—!!69!!7
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[UC Sampdoria|Sampdoria]]
|[[1994–95 UC Sampdoria season|1994–95]]
|Serie A
|25||3||2||0||6{{efn|name=UCWC|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]]}}||1||1{{efn|Appearance in [[Supercoppa Italiana]]|name=SCI}}||1||34||5
|-
|[[1995–96 UC Sampdoria season|1995–96]]
|Serie A
|30||4||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||32||4
|-
|[[1996–97 UC Sampdoria season|1996–97]]
|Serie A
|28||2||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||29||2
|-
|[[1997–98 UC Sampdoria season|1997–98]]
|Serie A
|27||3||4||1||2||0||colspan="2"|—||33||4
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!110!!12!!9!!1!!8!!1!!1!!1!!128!!15
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[SS Lazio|Lazio]]
|[[1998–99 SS Lazio season|1998–99]]
|Serie A
|30||8||4||1||9{{efn|name=UCWC}}||0||1{{efn|name=SCI}}||0||44||9
|-
|[[1999–2000 SS Lazio season|1999–2000]]
|Serie A
|26||6||7||4||12{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||3||1{{efn|Appearance in UEFA Super Cup}}||0||46||13
|-
|[[2000–01 SS Lazio season|2000–01]]
|Serie A
|18||4||2||1||8{{efn|name=UCL}}||2||1{{efn|name=SCI}}||1||29||8
|-
|[[2001–02 SS Lazio season|2001–02]]
|Serie A
|6||0||2||0||2{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||10||0
|-
|[[2002–03 SS Lazio season|2002–03]]
|Serie A
|21||1||1||0||6{{efn|name=UC}}||0||colspan="2"|—||28||1
|-
|[[2003–04 SS Lazio season|2003–04]]
|Serie A
|25||1||6||0||5{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||colspan="2"|—||36||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!126!!20!!22!!6!!42!!6!!3!!1!!193!!33
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Inter Milan]]
|[[2004–05 Inter Milan season|2004–05]]
|Serie A
|20||4||6||1||4{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||30||5
|-
|[[2005–06 Inter Milan season|2005–06]]
|Serie A
|5||1||5||0||3{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||13||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!25!!5!!11!!1!!7!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!43!!6
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!426!!66!!63!!17!!79!!14!!6!!2!!574!!99
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Yugoslavia national football team|SFR Yugoslavia]]
|1991||4||0
|-
|1992||0||0
|-
|rowspan="10"|[[FR Yugoslavia national football team|FR Yugoslavia]]
|1993||0||0
|-
|1994||2||0
|-
|1995||3||2
|-
|1996||7||0
|-
|1997||10||2
|-
|1998||11||2
|-
|1999||5||0
|-
|2000||6||1
|-
|2001||6||2
|-
|2002||8||1
|-
|[[Serbia and Montenegro national football team|Serbia and Montenegro]]
|2003||1||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!63!!10
|}

:''Scores and results list Yugoslavia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Mihajlović goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Siniša Mihajlović<ref>{{Cite web|title=Siniša Mihajlović stats|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=13955|website=eu-football.info|language=en|access-date=31 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Cap
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
|style="text-align:center"|1
|12 November 1995
|[[Estadio Jorge "Mágico" González|Estadio Nacional Flor Blanca]], [[San Salvador]], El Salvador
|style="text-align:center"|8
|{{fb|El Salvador}}
|style="text-align:center"|1–0
|style="text-align:center"|4–1
|[[Friendly (association football)|Friendly]]
|-
|style="text-align:center"|2
|15 November 1995
|[[Estadio Tecnológico]], [[Monterrey]], Mexico
|style="text-align:center"|9
|{{fb|Mexico}}
|style="text-align:center"|3–1
|style="text-align:center"|4–1
|Friendly
|-
|style="text-align:center"|3
|10 September 1997
|[[Tehelné pole (1939)|Štadión Tehelné pole]], [[Bratislava]], Slovakia
|style="text-align:center"|23
|{{fb|Slovakia}}
|style="text-align:center"|1–1
|style="text-align:center"|[[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 6#Slovakia v FR Yugoslavia|1–1]]
|[[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 6|1998 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
|style="text-align:center"|4
|11 October 1997
|[[National Stadium, Ta' Qali|Ta' Qali National Stadium]], [[Attard]], Malta
|style="text-align:center"|24
|{{fb|Malta}}
|style="text-align:center"|2–0
|style="text-align:center"|[[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 6#Malta v FR Yugoslavia|5–0]]
|1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
|style="text-align:center"|5
|3 June 1998
|[[Stade Olympique de la Pontaise]], [[Lausanne]], Switzerland
|style="text-align:center"|30
|{{fb|Japan|1947}}
|style="text-align:center"|1–0
|style="text-align:center"|1–0
|Friendly
|-
|style="text-align:center"|6
|14 June 1998
|[[Stade Geoffroy Guichard]], [[Saint-Étienne]], France
|style="text-align:center"|32
|{{fb|Iran}}
|style="text-align:center"|1–0
|style="text-align:center"|[[1998 FIFA World Cup Group F#FR Yugoslavia vs Iran|1–0]]
|[[1998 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
|style="text-align:center"|7
|15 November 2000
|[[Stadionul Steaua (1974)|Stadionul Steaua]], [[Bucharest]], Romania
|style="text-align:center"|48
|{{fb|Romania}}
|style="text-align:center"|1–1
|style="text-align:center"|1–2
|Friendly
|-
|style="text-align:center"|8
|24 March 2001
|[[Stadion Partizana]], Belgrade, [[FR Yugoslavia]]
|style="text-align:center"|49
|{{fb|Switzerland}}
|style="text-align:center"|1–0
|style="text-align:center"|[[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 1#FR Yugoslavia v Switzerland|1–1]]
|[[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 1|2002 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
|style="text-align:center"|9
|15 August 2001
|rowspan="2"|[[Red Star Stadium|Stadion Crvene Zvezde]], Belgrade, FR Yugoslavia
|style="text-align:center"|54
|{{fb|Faroe Islands}}
|style="text-align:center"|1–0
|style="text-align:center"|[[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 1#FR Yugoslavia v Faroe Islands|2–0]]
|2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
|style="text-align:center"|10
|16 August 2002
|style="text-align:center"|61
|{{fb|Finland}}
|style="text-align:center"|2–0
|style="text-align:center"|[[UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying Group 9#FR Yugoslavia v Finland|2–0]]
|[[UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying Group 9|UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying]]
|}

==Managerial statistics==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|From
!rowspan="2"|To
!colspan="8"|Record
|-
!{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}
!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}
!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}
!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}
!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}
!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}
!{{Tooltip|GD|Goal difference}}
!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}
|-
|align=left|[[Bologna FC 1909|Bologna]]
|align=left|3 November 2008
|align=left|14 April 2009
{{WDL|22|4|8|10|for=25|against=36|diff=yes}}
|-
|align=left|[[Calcio Catania|Catania]]
|align=left|8 December 2009
|align=left|24 May 2010
{{WDL|25|10|9|6|for=32|against=23|diff=yes}}
|-
|align=left|[[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]]
|align=left|4 June 2010
|align=left|7 November 2011
{{WDL|52|18|18|16|for=66|against=56|diff=yes}}
|-
|align=left|[[Serbia national football team|Serbia]]
|align=left|21 May 2012
|align=left|19 November 2013
{{WDL|19|7|4|8|for=28|against=21|diff=yes}}
|-
|align=left|[[UC Sampdoria|Sampdoria]]
|align=left|20 November 2013
|align=left|1 June 2015
{{WDL|69|26|23|20|for=93|against=87|diff=yes}}
|-
|align=left|[[AC Milan|Milan]]
|align=left|16 June 2015
|align=left|12 April 2016
{{WDL|38|19|10|9|for=57|against=37|diff=yes}}
|-
|align=left|[[Torino FC|Torino]]
|align=left|25 May 2016
|align=left|4 January 2018
{{WDL|64|23|24|17|for=116|against=100|diff=yes}}
|-
|align=left|[[Sporting CP]]
|align=left|18 June 2018
|align=left|27 June 2018
{{WDL|0|0|0|0|for=0|against=0|diff=yes}}
|-
|align=left|[[Bologna FC 1909|Bologna]]
|align=left|28 January 2019
|align=left|6 September 2022
{{WDL|142|46|38|58|for=196|against=228|diff=yes}}
|-
!colspan="3"|Total
{{WDLtot|431|153|134|144|for=613|against=588|diff=yes}}
|}

==Honours==
===Player===
'''Vojvodina'''<ref name=eurosport.com>{{cite web|url=http://it.eurosport.com/calcio/sinisa-mihajlovic_prs169859/person.shtml|title=Siniša Mihajlovic|publisher=Eurosport|language=it|access-date=3 January 2016}}</ref>
*[[Yugoslav First League]]: [[1988–89 Yugoslav First League|1988–89]]

'''Red Star Belgrade'''<ref name=eurosport.com/>
*Yugoslav First League: [[1990–91 Yugoslav First League|1990–91]], [[1991–92 Yugoslav First League|1991–92]]
*[[European Cup]]: [[1990–91 European Cup|1990–91]]
*[[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]]: [[1991 Intercontinental Cup|1991]]

'''Lazio'''<ref name=eurosport.com/>
*[[Serie A]]: [[1999–2000 Serie A|1999–2000]]
*[[Coppa Italia]]: [[1999–2000 Coppa Italia|1999–2000]], [[2003–04 Coppa Italia|2003–04]]
*[[Supercoppa Italiana]]: [[1998 Supercoppa Italiana|1998]], [[2000 Supercoppa Italiana|2000]]
*[[UEFA Cup Winners Cup]]: [[1998–99 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|1998–99]]
*[[UEFA Super Cup]]: [[1999 UEFA Super Cup|1999]]

'''Inter Milan'''<ref name=eurosport.com/>
*Serie A: [[2005–06 Serie A|2005–06]]
*Coppa Italia: [[2004–05 Coppa Italia|2004–05]], [[2005–06 Coppa Italia|2005–06]]
*Supercoppa Italiana: [[2005 Supercoppa Italiana|2005]]

'''Yugoslavia U21'''
*[[UEFA European Under-21 Championship]] runner-up: [[1990 UEFA European Under-21 Championship|1990]]

'''Individual'''
*[[European Sports Magazines#ESM Team of the Year|ESM Team of the Year]]: 1998–99, 1999–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/esm-xi.html|title=ESM XI|author1=Karel Stokkermans|date=14 March 2007|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=29 November 2015}}</ref>
*[[Serbian Footballer of the Year|FR Yugoslavia player of the Year]]: 1999
*[[Italian Football Hall of Fame]]: 2022<ref name="2022-SerieAHoF">{{Cite web |date=16 March 2023 |title=Da Zola a Mourinho e Zidane: le nuove leggende della Hall of fame del calcio italiano|url=https://sport.sky.it/calcio/serie-a/figc-hall-of-fame-giocatori-allenatori#00 |access-date=23 April 2023 |website=Sky Italia |language=it}}</ref>

===Manager===
'''Individual'''
* [[Serbian Footballer of the Year#Coach of the Year|Serbian Coach of the Year]]: 2019
* [[Gazzetta Sports Awards|Gazzetta Sport Legend Award]]: 2019
* [[Serie A Coach of the Month]]: [[2021–22 Serie A#Monthly awards|April 2022]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.legaseriea.it/en/press/news/info/sinisa-mihajlovic-coach-of-the-month-for-april-1|publisher=Serie A|access-date=5 May 2022|date=5 May 2022|title=Sinisa Mihajlovic Coach of the Month for April|archive-date=5 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505182557/https://www.legaseriea.it/en/press/news/info/sinisa-mihajlovic-coach-of-the-month-for-april-1|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=note}}
{{Reflist|group=nb}}

==See also==
* [[List of footballers who achieved hat-trick records]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Reprezentacija|mihajlovic-sinisa}}
* {{TuttoCalciatori|Mihajlovic_Sinisa}}
* {{NFT player|10717}}

{{Navboxes
|title = FR Yugoslavia squads
|bg = navy
|fg = white
|bordercolor = red
|list1 =
{{Yugoslavia squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Yugoslavia squad UEFA Euro 2000}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list =
{{Football Association of Serbia Coach of the Year}}
{{Italian Football Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title= Managerial positions
| list1=
{{Bologna FC 1909 managers}}
{{ACF Fiorentina managers}}
{{Serbia national football team managers}}
{{UC Sampdoria managers}}
{{AC Milan managers}}
{{Torino FC managers}}
{{Sporting CP managers}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mihajlovic, Sinisa}}
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:Footballers from Vukovar]]
[[Category:Serbs of Croatia]]
[[Category:Serbian people of Croatian descent]]
[[Category:Serbian people of Bosnia and Herzegovina descent]]
[[Category:Naturalised citizens of Italy]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Men's association football central defenders]]
[[Category:Yugoslav men's footballers]]
[[Category:Yugoslavia men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Yugoslavia men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Serbia and Montenegro men's footballers]]
[[Category:Serbia and Montenegro men's international footballers]]
[[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2000 players]]
[[Category:HNK Borovo players]]
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[[Category:UC Sampdoria players]]
[[Category:SS Lazio players]]
[[Category:Inter Milan players]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players]]
[[Category:Yugoslav First League players]]
[[Category:First League of Serbia and Montenegro players]]
[[Category:Serie A players]]
[[Category:Serbia and Montenegro expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy]]
[[Category:Serbia and Montenegro expatriate sportspeople in Italy]]
[[Category:Serbian football managers]]
[[Category:Bologna FC 1909 managers]]
[[Category:Catania FC managers]]
[[Category:ACF Fiorentina managers]]
[[Category:Serbia national football team managers]]
[[Category:UC Sampdoria managers]]
[[Category:AC Milan managers]]
[[Category:Torino FC managers]]
[[Category:Sporting CP managers]]
[[Category:Serie A managers]]
[[Category:Primeira Liga managers]]
[[Category:Serbian expatriate football managers]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Italy]]
[[Category:Serbian expatriate sportspeople in Italy]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Portugal]]
[[Category:Serbian expatriate sportspeople in Portugal]]
[[Category:Inter Milan non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Deaths from acute myeloid leukemia]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in Lazio]]
[[Category:Deaths from leukemia in Italy]]
[[Category:Burials at Campo Verano]]