Milan Mandaric, the charismatic Serbian-American businessman whose name became synonymous with football rescue missions across England and Europe, has died at the age of 87. Mandaric passed away on October 4, 2025, in a Belgrade hospital after a short illness, leaving behind a legacy that stretches far beyond the pitch and into the hearts of fans from Portsmouth to Leicester and Sheffield Wednesday.
Mandaric's journey in football began in earnest in May 1999, when he swooped in to save Portsmouth from the brink of bankruptcy. At the time, the club was financially crippled and mired in administration, but Mandaric’s arrival marked a dramatic turning point. He was known for his energetic, hands-on approach, and it didn’t take long for his influence to be felt. "His love for football was only surpassed by that for his family. He will be sadly missed by his two daughters and three grandchildren," read a poignant family statement released shortly after his passing.
Under Mandaric’s stewardship, Portsmouth experienced a golden era. The club soared to new heights, winning the First Division in the 2002-03 season and earning their first-ever promotion to the Premier League under the management of Harry Redknapp. The relationship between Mandaric and Redknapp was at times tempestuous—marked by a public fallout in 2004 over the appointment of Vladimir Zajec as executive director—but it ultimately produced some of the club’s most memorable moments. Redknapp’s shock return in December 2005 helped orchestrate the club’s remarkable escape from relegation, a feat still celebrated at Fratton Park.
Mandaric’s emotional farewell to Portsmouth supporters in September 2006, during a night match against Bolton, remains etched in club history. Addressing the crowd from the pitch, he bid goodbye to the fans who had embraced him, paving the way for the next chapter in his football odyssey. "I will never forget that time at Portsmouth—the greatest time in my life," Mandaric said in a reflective interview in September 2024. "I have been asked many times by the media in the world—what is your favourite club? I don't have to think about it at all, there is only one—that's Pompey. When they ask why, I tell them because I fell in love with their affection for their team. It is unbelievable how much they care. I was helping their club out for them to be happier."
After selling Portsmouth to Alexandre Gaydamak for £32 million, Mandaric wasted no time in seeking his next challenge. In 2007, he acquired Leicester City for £6 million, at a time when the Foxes were struggling for stability. The club suffered relegation to League One in the 2007-08 season but rebounded spectacularly, clinching the League One title under manager Nigel Pearson in 2008-09. Leicester narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League, losing in the Championship play-off semi-finals in 2009-10. Mandaric’s tenure at Leicester was marked by passion and ambition, as acknowledged in a club statement: "Milan brought passion and charisma to the club between 2007 and 2010, a period which included a League One title win."
Mandaric sold Leicester to the late Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and his son Aiyawat for £40 million in 2010, a move that set the stage for the club’s future successes. However, Mandaric’s appetite for football ownership was far from sated. Later that year, he purchased a heavily indebted Sheffield Wednesday for £1, determined to restore the storied club’s fortunes. Mandaric’s arrival at Hillsborough was transformative. He settled the club’s debts, oversaw a managerial overhaul, and guided the Owls to promotion from League One in the 2011-12 season. Wednesday fans and officials alike credited Mandaric with rescuing the club from a period of distress and bringing "new light into Hillsborough."
Mandaric’s time at Sheffield Wednesday ended in January 2015, when he sold the club to Dejphon Chansiri for £37.5 million. Yet, even in the twilight of his career, Mandaric’s connection to the clubs he served remained strong. Earlier in 2025, he considered buying back Sheffield Wednesday to "save the club from being destroyed" under its current leadership, but ultimately decided against it, citing the inability to devote sufficient time to the task.
Beyond England, Mandaric’s influence spanned continents. He made his fortune in Silicon Valley’s computer components industry before turning his attention to football, first in the United States, where he signed George Best to play for the San Jose Earthquakes, and later in Europe with stints at Standard Liege, R. Charleroi S.C., and OGC Nice. He was also vice-president of Serbian team Vojvodina, based in his hometown of Novi Sad, and held a role at Slovenian club Olimpija Ljubljana in his later years.
Mandaric’s football journey was not without controversy. In 2006, he and Harry Redknapp became embroiled in a high-profile corruption saga, triggered by a BBC Panorama investigation. Both men were acquitted of tax evasion in 2012, but the episode added another layer to Mandaric’s reputation as football’s "Mr Fixit"—a man unafraid to tackle the sport’s toughest challenges head-on.
Tributes poured in from across the football world following news of Mandaric’s death. Portsmouth, Leicester City, and Sheffield Wednesday all issued heartfelt statements, mourning the loss of a man who had become much more than just an owner or chairman. "Everyone at Sheffield Wednesday is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former owner and chairman Milan Mandaric. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time," read a statement from the Owls. Portsmouth echoed the sentiment, calling Mandaric "a hugely popular figure" whose impact on the club would never be forgotten.
Mandaric’s story is one of resilience, ambition, and unwavering love for the beautiful game. From saving clubs on the brink to guiding them to new heights, he leaves behind a legacy that will be cherished by generations of fans. As the football community mourns his passing, the affection and gratitude felt by those whose clubs he transformed stand as a testament to a life spent in service of the sport he adored.
With his passing, the football world bids farewell to a true icon—a man whose vision, determination, and generosity shaped the destinies of clubs and communities alike. Milan Mandaric’s name will forever be woven into the fabric of English football history.
