Football world mourns after manager dies mid-game
Players fell to their knees in grief as Radnicki 1923 coach Mladen Zizovic collapsed during his team’s Serbian SuperLiga clash.
Sudden collapse
Zizovic suffered a heart attack just 22 minutes into Radnicki 1923’s match against Mladost Lucani on Sunday, according to the Mirror. The game, held at Stadion Mladosti, was immediately suspended as medics rushed to his side.
He was treated on the pitch before being taken to hospital, while players from both sides looked on in distress. Referee and staff members halted play as the gravity of the situation became clear.
Although the game resumed briefly with Radnicki leading 2–0, it was later abandoned once word arrived that Zizovic had passed away. The Bosnian-born father of three could not be revived despite emergency treatment.
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Grief on the field
Heartbreaking scenes followed as Radnicki players broke down in tears, joined by their visibly shaken opponents. The referee eventually walked off the pitch alone, leaving a stunned silence behind.
Tributes soon began pouring in from across the region. Zizovic, who had enjoyed a long playing career before moving into management in 2017, had only taken charge of Radnicki 1923 last month.
The Serbian Football Association confirmed his passing in a statement expressing “deep sorrow and disbelief” at his sudden death.
“A tremendous loss”
“The Football Association of Serbia expresses its deepest condolences to the Zizovic family, the members of FK Radnicki 1923, as well as all friends and admirers of his character and work,” the organisation said. “Rest in peace, Mladen. Your love for football and the legacy you left behind will remain with us forever.”
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Zizovic’s coaching journey included stints in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Saudi Arabia, and North Macedonia. Before entering management, he played professionally for nearly two decades and earned two caps for Bosnia and Herzegovina as a midfielder.
Football pays tribute
Red Star Belgrade wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “FK Crvena Zvezda expresses its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mladen Zizovic, as well as to the members of FK Radnicki 1923. Rest in peace, Mladen.”
Partizan Belgrade shared similar sentiments, posting: “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.”
His passing has drawn comparisons to the 1985 tragedy in which Scotland manager Jock Stein died after a World Cup qualifier in Cardiff. Both men collapsed during matches dedicated to the sport they loved.
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