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The manager of the Serbian top-flight team Radnicki 1923, Mladen Zizovic, has died at the age of 44 after collapsing during a match on Monday.
Zizovic was taken ill midway through the first half of his team’s SuperLiga fixture at Mladost Lucani, with the game halted in the 22nd minute. The match resumed when he was taken to hospital after receiving emergency medical assistance, but was abandoned 20 minutes later when news was relayed that he had died.
Television footage showed players and staff reacting in shock upon hearing of Zizovic’s death. The former Bosnia and Herzegovina international had joined Radnicki in October after a number of stints managing sides in the former Yugoslavia and a short period with the Saudi team Al-Kholood. He guided the Bosnian club Borac Banja Luka to their first Conference League knockout tie last season.
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“With the deepest sorrow, we inform the public, fans and sports friends that our head coach, Mladen Zizovic, passed away during last night’s match between Mladost and Radnicki 1923 in Lucani,” a statement from Radnicki said.
“Our club has lost not only a great specialist but above all a good person, a friend, and a sports worker who, with his knowledge, energy, and nobility, left a deep mark in the hearts of all who knew him. Football Club Radnicki 1923 extends its sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and everyone who shared a love for football with him. Rest in peace, Mladen.”
Borac paid tribute to their former manager, who had also represented the club during a successful playing career as an attacking midfielder. “You left us at 44, but your memory will live for ever in every moment spent at our City Stadium – first as a player, then as a coach who achieved the greatest European success in our history,” part of their statement said.
“We’ll always remember that you gave Borac and Banja Luka the best of yourself and that together we wrote stories that will live for ever. Life is cruel and takes the best too soon, but you will live through us as we keep telling the story of Mladen Zizovic – the man, the coach, the father, the son, and the friend.”
The Mladost manager, Nenad Lalatovic, told local media that he had attempted to help Zizovic before Zizovic lost consciousness. “I still can’t believe how life can turn upside down in a second,” he said. “Mladen was an exceptional man, a friend, and a professional. The football world has lost a great human being.”
Zizovic won his two Bosnia and Herzegovina caps in 2008 while playing for Zrijnski Mostar, who were later among the clubs he managed.
