Shock as Coach Dies Mid-Match After Collapsing in the Dugout

The Serbian football community is in mourning following the sudden death of manager Mladen Zizovic, who passed away at the age of 44 after suffering a heart attack during a league match on Sunday.

Zizovic, the head coach of Radnicki 1923, collapsed on the touchline just 22 minutes into his team's fixture against Mladost. He received immediate medical attention before being transported to a local hospital.

The match was initially paused but resumed after Zizovic was taken from the stadium. However, when news of his death reached the players and officials later in the game, the referee abandoned the match.

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Heartbreaking scenes followed as players on the pitch broke down in tears, consoling one another in their grief.

The tragedy occurred during only the third match Zizovic had managed for Radnicki 1923 since his appointment on October 23.

His club, Radnicki, released a statement expressing their "deep pain and disbelief" over the loss of a man they praised for his character.

"A man who left a deep mark wherever he worked with his knowledge, calmness and nobility,” the club said as quoted by the Dailymail.

“Although he spent a short time in Kragujevac, he managed to gain the respect of everyone at the club... with his energy, professionalism and human qualities. His dedication to football, passion for the game, and human warmth will forever remain etched in the memories of all who had the honor of knowing him."

Tributes quickly poured in from across the football world. The Football Association of Serbia lamented the "tremendous loss for the entire football community" and extended its condolences to Zizovic's family, which includes his three children.

Serbian powerhouse Partizan Belgrade also shared their sorrow, stating: "With sadness, we received the news that Radnicki's coach from Kragujevac, Mladen Zizovic, has suddenly passed away. Our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and club."

As a player, Zizovic was a midfielder who spent his career in his native Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Albania. He earned two caps for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team and won the Bosnian Premier League with Zrinjski Mostar in the 2008-09 season, in addition to two Bosnian Cups and an Albanian Cup.

Before joining Radnicki, he managed Bosnian side Borac Banja Luka, narrowly missing out on the league title by a single point and leading the club to its longest-ever European run in the Conference League. His former players at Borac released a joint emotional message.