FORMER Leicester and Portsmouth owner Milan Mandaric has died aged 87.
The Croatian left a lasting legacy on English football.
He guided Portsmouth to the Premier League with Harry Redknapp as manager in 2003 – marking their first spell in the top flight since 1987-88.
Pompey stayed in the Prem for seven years, and went on to win the FA Cup two years after Mandaric departed.
Following promotion Mandaric was given the Freedom of the City of Portsmouth.
The club paid tribute with a statement that read: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former chairman, Milan Mandarić, at the age of 87.
“Rest in peace, Milan. 💙”
After leaving the south coast he then bought Leicester City in 2007.
The Foxes were relegated from the Championship for the first time in the club’s history in his first season in charge,
But Mandaric overaw a title-winning campaign the following season after he appoined Nigel Pearson, who later took Leicester to the Premier League.
Mandaric had sold the club by that point, leaving the summer after Leicester finished in the Championship play-offs in 2009-10.
He sold Leicester for around £40million to the late Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and his son Aiyawatt – the pair who took Leicester up before winning the Premier League in 2016.
After leaving Leicester Mandaric bought Sheffield Wednesday in 2010, and again won promotion from the third tier.
He spent five years in charge of the Owls before selling the club to current owner Dejphon Chansiri for £37.5million.
The Owls paid tribute to their former owner with a statement that read: “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.”
Fans have also shared kind messages for the much-loved owner.
One Portsmouth fan wrote: “So sorry to hear about the passing of Milan Mandaric.
“He always struck me as someone who loved being at #Pompey and boy did he give us some great times.”
Another fan added: “RIP Milan Mandaric, you gave me one of the most memorable seasons in Football.”
And a third wrote: “RIP Milan Mandaric, thanks for being the chairman that got us to the Premier League as well as everything great you’ve done for @Pompey.
“I’m sending my best regards to your family at this terrible time. Rest easy you Pompey Legend. 🙏🏻”
Mandaric spoke fondly of his time at Fratton Park, which he regarded as the greatest time in his life.
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.”
Mandaric first became involved in football when he set-up FC Lika, before launching the San Jose Earthquakes and the Connecticut Bicentennials.
He also bought a stake in Standard Liege and owned another Belgian team, R. Charleroi S.C.
After that he purchased Nice and won the Coupe de France in 1997, though they were relegated in the same year.
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