Leicester, Portsmouth and Sheffield Wednesday pay a heartfelt tribute after their former chairman and owner Milan Mandaric dies aged 87.
His family say they are deeply saddened to announce his passing earlier on Saturday the 4th of October in a Belgrade hospital following a short illness.
“Milan will be fondly remembered as chairman and owner of Portsmouth, Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday in the UK, along with a number of US and European clubs.
“His love for football was only surpassed by that for his family; he will be sadly missed by his two daughters and three grandchildren.
“The family have asked for privacy at this sad time.”
All at Leicester City Football Club are saddened to learn of the passing of our former Chairman, Milan Mandarić.
Milan brought passion and charisma to the Club between 2007 and 2010, a period which included a League 1 title win.
Rest in peace, Milan 💙 pic.twitter.com/r9TD8tb5Pq
— Leicester City (@LCFC) October 4, 2025
LEICESTER STATEMENT:
All at Leicester City Football Club are saddened to learn of the passing of our former Chairman, Milan Mandarić.
Milan brought passion and charisma to the Club between 2007 and 2010, a period which included a League 1 title win.
Rest in peace, Milan 💙
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former chairman, Milan Mandarić, at the age of 87.
Rest in peace, Milan. 💙
— Portsmouth FC (@Pompey) October 4, 2025
PORTSMOUTH STATEMENT:
Portsmouth FC are mourning the loss of Milan Mandarić, who has passed away at the age of 87 following a short illness.
The former chairman saved the financially stricken club when he bought Pompey out of administration in 1999.
And relief turned to joy four years later as under Harry Redknapp’s charge, the Blues secured promotion to the Premier League.
That triumph saw top-flight football return to Fratton Park for the first time in 15 years, with Mandarić awarded the freedom of the city.
He sold the club in 2006 and later owned Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday, where he was able to celebrate more success.
Mandarić was at Fratton Park last season, watching from the directors’ box as Pompey played out a goalless draw with Sheffield United in the Championship.
In an interview with The News at the time, he said: “I will never forget that time at Portsmouth – the greatest time in my life.
“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’s unbelievable how much they care. I was helping their club out for them to be happier.”
The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Milan’s family and friends at this sad time.
Everyone at Sheffield Wednesday is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former owner and chairman Milan Mandarić.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. pic.twitter.com/vJXO4WxWsm
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) October 4, 2025
Xbana Milan 💙
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) October 4, 2025
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY STATEMENT:
Everyone at Sheffield Wednesday is deeply saddened by the passing of our former owner and chairman, Milan Mandaric.
Milan died peacefully on 4 October, aged 87, surrounded by his family.
The Serbian-American tycoon rescued the Owls from a period of distress in December 2010, completing a takeover that beamed new light into Hillsborough.
He enjoyed five years at the helm, the peak of which was our unforgettable promotion from League One to the Championship in 2011/12, when Dave Jones’ side secured elevation on the last day of the season against Wycombe Wanderers.
Milan brought an extensive football industry portfolio to S6 of some 50 years, having turned around and achieved considerable success with Portsmouth and Leicester City on these shores.
Prior to that, he was a major player in the revitalisation of the game Stateside before switching to Europe, owning Belgian side Royal Charleroi SC then French outfit OGC Nice.
Attention then turned to England and Pompey, who were promoted to the Premier League under his stewardship.
Milan was later bestowed the honour of ‘Freedom of the City’ to mark his achievements with Portsmouth.
A further promotion followed with Leicester, from League One to the Championship, a feat that would be repeated at Hillsborough.
After selling Slovenian club Olimpija Ljubljana, his most recent football foray was the vice-presidency of Serbian Superliga side Vojvodina.
Milan is survived by daughters Sandra, Jasmina and his three grandchildren and our thoughts are with his family and friends worldwide at this extremely difficult time.
MILAN MANDARIC
1938-2025
RIP
Here’s how fans reacted as Leicester, Portsmouth, Sheffield Wednesday pay a heartfelt tribute after Milan Mandaric dies aged 87…
@0191Owls: A fine example of a respectable owner and a man who will always be remembered for having saved this club in it’s time of need. I hope that one day, we will have someone in charge of this club who shows it an equal amount of respect as he always did. RIP Milan Mandarić.
@richlido: Really sad news. Saved our club and put measures in to protect our future at the time. A football man who understood the sport and its supporters. RIP
@andymcelwaine: Heartbreaking news. He saved us when we needed it. He got us as a club and fanbase. Thank you Milan again. And rest in peace.
@davo33uk: RIP Milan – a great chairman who fans loved and will ever be grateful 🥰💙🦉😢 Now dejphon chansiri do the honourable thing in his memory and sell the club that he trusted in you to look after not destroy and allow someone else to be the custodian who can take it forward not back
@adamswfc: A caring, honest man and owner of our great club. Let it go, when he couldn’t take it any further. Will always remember you Milan. Rest in peace. Current owner, take note!
@Vonnie588: Absolutely gutted to hear this. Just makes it even more honourable from him that he tried to intervene with Chansiri a few months ago. RIP. 😢
@hodge_1867: Thank you for all that you did to save our club. You will be forever in our hearts!
@ianroberts1962: To think only recently he was here trying to help the club in anyway he could. A true Wednesday legend.
@lee_winslow: RIP Milan. Shock news after speaking of trying to help our current plight only a few months ago. Thanks for never giving up on us 💙🦉#swfc
@MikeHunt1917343: Heartbreaking , he saved us when we were in the high court facing a winding up order. Always happy to make time for the supporters and stop and chat. RIP
@_JoeDavison: Heartbreaking news, a wonderful man who only ever loved the club and the fans. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. Rest in peace, Milan 💙🦉
@GT_Ents: Milan, Thank you for being involved in the best years I have been a Portsmouth FC Employee and now STH… I remember the phonecall from my boss asking for me to provide security for the return of Harry… RIP Milan please enjoy a heavenly drink with George Best xx
@MinhyeokGoat: i’m 22 not old enough to remember his reign with us but i know he’s a massive pompey legend and saved us and got us to where was when we won the fa cup he’ll always be a pompey legend i hope you do a minute silence against coventry so the team he loves so much can show appreciati
@Limmy05: Proper fate the next game – hope both sets of fans do him proud #onlyonemilan
@ryanstray1996: Your next match is against my team Pompey we were both I owned by him maybe there should be a special tribute
@lewishutchison1: I met Milan once when I was a little kid stood at the blue gates on frogmore road when they were open as they were getting ready for season opener. And Milan walked past and stoped to say hello and then offered me a tour. Which he did himself. What a man. So sad. RIP 💙💙💙
@sonjapfc: So very sad. We have so much to thank Milan for and will be eternally grateful for his generosity, loyalty and just being a genuinely nice man. Rest in peace Mr Mandaric, forever thankful 💙😪
@84Knight: Really sad news. Did a fantastic job in charge of us. The messages from Leicester and Wednesday fans going around this evening too show how good of a man he was and how well loved he was at each club for doing his absolute best. There’s only one Milan 💙 #pompey #swfc #lcfc
@R0SSILCFC1993: Legend for Both Leicester and Portsmouth. We play each other in 2 week time, it should be an amazing tribute from both sets of supporters 💙💙
a man who cared about the club, RIP milan pic.twitter.com/j7Kt8yyK3j
— Jake (@JT_JTSWFC1) October 4, 2025
💙 Rest in peace Milan, thanks for the memories 🫶 pic.twitter.com/SVxpM5dooy
— Bear v40.10 (@bucklandbear) October 4, 2025
