Sinisa Mihajlovic turned out to be the unlikely hero for Sampdoria this season. With the club in turmoil having won just 2 of their opening 12 games under Delio Rossi, Mihajlovic was the surprise appointment to replace him. The Serb had played over one hundred times for the club but there were always questions over his temperament and many wondered if he was the right choice to steady a sinking ship. Mihajlovic didn't compromise his personality or his principles upon his arrival, choosing to play an expansive style and switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation. It proved to be the breath of fresh air that the club needed and the new manager went unbeaten for his first six games in charge. Even when the defeats started to come, they were usually against top sides and in very competitive matches as Samp became one of the must-watch teams in Serie A. Their form was so good, that they managed to virtually secure their safety with several weeks to go. Almost inevitably, there was a dip during the run-in as the club had achieved its primary objective but Mihajlovic's standards never dropped. He always demands 100% effort from his players and, at times, it was all or nothing. Samp would either win in entertaining style or lose emphatically. In the end, a mid-table finish is about all that could be expected but Mihajlovic will want more next season. He'll hope to keep some of the promising young players who've flourished under his tutelage. Manolo Gabbiadini was the brightest shining light with some excellent performances from the wing - he looks a real star for the future at both club and international level. A surprise package was young defender Shkodran Mustafi, who was a calm and assuring presence at the back alongside the more experienced Daniele Gastaldello. Eder remains an excellent creative force along the frontline but the side still lacks a real goal-getter having lost the ultra-talented Mauro Icardi to Inter. That will be an area that Mihajlovic will look to strengthen in the summer as he looks to take the club further.
