Popular Portsmouth figure from the past set to be in attendance v Sheffield United – report
Milan Mandaric is set to return to Portsmouth for only the second time in 14 years this weekend, according to The News.
The news outlet reported via its website [25 September] that Mandaric will be in attendance for the visit of Sheffield United on Saturday (28 September).
The former Pompey owner oversaw the club’s historic promotion to the Premier League under Harry Redknapp in 2003, kickstarting seven memorable years in the top flight.
Now 86, Mandaric – who also chaired Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday during his time in the UK – is set to attend only his second Pompey game since he was present for Leicester City’s 6-1 defeat by the Blues back in September 2010.
The Serbian-American businessman’s last Portsmouth game was against MK Dons in December 2022.
Portsmouth to welcome back Milan Mandaric
Despite financial turbulence in the years succeeding Mandaric’s reign, he remains warmly regarded on this part of the South Coast from the impact he had on rescuing Portsmouth from administration in 1999, and four years later steering the club to a First Division title.
These days, Mandaric tends to be based in Central Europe, and he has been vice-president of Serbia Superliga club Vojvodina FC in his homeland.
He will receive a warm reception at Fratton Park this weekend, and Blues fans will be sincerely hoping he brings an element of good luck as the team search for its first win this season.
Mandaric’s appreciation from the Fratton faithful skyrocketed long after he had sold up, with some of the farcical ownerships since descending the club into near-extinction.
Having followed the fortunes of the club from afar, the contrast even between now and less than two years ago when he last attended a Pompey game in League One will be crystal clear, and Mandaric will certainly approve.
In other Portsmouth news, Don Goodman makes a Wayne Rooney comparison to Pompey.
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