Former Premier League club owner Milan Mandaric has passed away at the age of 87 following a short illness.
The Serbian-American businessman owned Portsmouth, Leicester and Sheffield Wednesday in his titanic career and has been survived by his two daughters and three grandchildren.
A statement on behalf of his family read: ‘The family of Milan Mandaric are deeply saddened to announce his passing earlier today 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.’
Milan Mandaric was first famed for saving Portsmouth in 1999 when the club were in administration. He left after seven years, helping them to promotion to the top flight under Harry Redknapp, before purchasing Leicester.
He led them to the League One title under Nigel Pearson in 2009, and would eventually sell to the late Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and his son Aiyawat.
But his love for football ownership stood strong, and he couldn’t stay away from the game so purchased Sheffiled Wednesday. He would go onto sell the Owls to Dejphon Chansiri.
He had initially started out in the United States, before taking on stakes in Standard Liege and R. Charleroi S.C. in Belgium and French side OGC Nice, now run by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
His last involvement in football was when he sold Wednesday in January 2015.
A Wednesday statement read on Saturday: ‘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.’
Portsmouth posted: ‘We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former chairman, Milan Mandaric, at the age of 87. Rest in peace, Milan.’
Leicester, meanwhile, added: ‘All at Leicester City Football Club are saddened to learn of the passing of our former Chairman, Milan Mandaric.
‘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.