Milan Mandaric, former owner of Portsmouth, Leicester, and Sheffield Wednesday, has died at 87. Known for reviving struggling clubs, his impact was significant.
Former Portsmouth Owner Milan Mandaric Passes Away
Estimated reading time: 2 min
Milan Mandaric, former owner of Portsmouth, Leicester, and Sheffield Wednesday, has died at 87. Known for reviving struggling clubs, his impact was significant.
Milan Mandaric, the former owner of Portsmouth, Leicester City, and Sheffield Wednesday, has died at the age of 87. His family confirmed that he passed away in a hospital in Belgrade following a short illness. Mandaric was a notable figure in English football, having first entered the scene in 1999 when he acquired Portsmouth.
Mandaric’s tenure in English football saw him take ownership of three clubs. He owned Portsmouth from 1999 to 2006, Leicester City from 2007 to 2010, and Sheffield Wednesday from 2010 to 2015. Each club has expressed their condolences, highlighting the impact Mandaric had during his time with them. Portsmouth, in particular, credited him with reviving the club during a period of financial difficulty.
Known as ‘Mr Fixit’ in football circles, Mandaric had a reputation for turning around struggling clubs. His business acumen was evident in his dealings, including his profitable sales of Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday. Despite his success, Mandaric’s career was not without controversy, as he was involved in a high-profile corruption saga with Harry Redknapp, from which both were acquitted.
The gist
- Milan Mandaric dies at 87 in Belgrade.
- Owned Portsmouth, Leicester City, and Sheffield Wednesday.
- Known for reviving struggling football clubs.
- Involved in a notable corruption case but acquitted.
Why it matters
Milan Mandaric’s influence on English football was significant, particularly in how he managed to stabilise and grow clubs that were facing financial and operational challenges. His legacy is marked by his ability to bring clubs back to prominence, a skill that earned him the moniker ‘Mr Fixit’. His passing marks the end of an era for those clubs and the football community that benefited from his leadership and vision.
