Key Takeaways
- Emilio De Leo served as Sinisa Mihajlovic’s assistant for ten years at various Italian clubs before taking the Malta job.
- The Serbian coach continued to demand high standards from his squad even while receiving hospital treatment for illness.
- De Leo recalled a funny moment involving former Inter striker Samuel Eto’o, who allegedly introduced two different women as his wife on separate occasions.
Malta national team boss Emilio De Leo has paid a moving tribute to his former mentor Sinisa Mihajlovic, who passed away after a long illness. The Italian trainer worked alongside the Serbian manager for a decade at different clubs in Italy.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, De Leo explained how Mihajlovic showed remarkable bravery during difficult times. Even while undergoing medical care, the former coach would ring the players to point out errors in their performances. De Leo noted that after one difficult victory, Mihajlovic still complained about the team’s poor display in the opening forty-five minutes.
The current Malta coach also remembered a strict punishment following a heavy 3-0 loss. The entire squad remained in the video room for three days, watching the defeat on repeat until the captain finally convinced the boss they had learned their lesson.
De Leo also shared amusing stories about Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o, who played under them at Inter Milan. The striker reportedly arrived at training in a different luxury car every morning and sometimes missed sessions entirely. De Leo laughed as he recalled Eto’o presenting one lady as his spouse, then days later introducing a completely different woman with the same claim.
Closing his thoughts, De Leo stated that Mihajlovic taught him that true power comes from within. He insisted that the late coach left this world as a victor, not as someone who had given up.