Tragedy in Football: 44-Year-Old Manager Dies After Collapsing Mid-Match, FA and Clubs React

Players of Serbian top-flight side, Radnicki 1923, fell on their knees as they abandoned their game against Mladost after they were told their 44-year-old manager, Mladen Zizovic, had died during the game.

Zizovic, 44, died midway through a match after collapsing on the side of the pitch.

He was said to have suffered a suspected heart attack in the first half of the match.

The referee had paused the match, allowing Zizovic receive medical treatment after which he was rushed to a nearby hospital and the game restarted shortly after.

As they approached half-time, the referee paused the game again, this time to inform the players that Zizovic had died.

The players on both teams could not believe the ugly news as they collapsed to the ground.

Several players were in tears and sat crestfallen on the pitch as the referee abandoned the game.

It was Zizovic’s third game in charge of Radnicki 1923 after he was appointed on October 23.

He was a former Bosnia and Herzegovina international, who played as an attacking midfielder for Zrinjski Mostar.

Paying tribute to Zizovic, the Serbian FA said, “The Football Association of Serbia has received with deep sorrow and disbelief the news of the sudden death of FK Radnički 1923 coach Mladen Zizovic, who passed away during the Mozzart Bet Super League of Serbia match between Mladost and Radnicki 1923 in Lucani.

“His untimely departure represents a tremendous loss for the entire football community…”

Red Star Belgrade, the biggest club in Serbia, added, ‘We express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mladen Zizovic, as well as to the members of Radnicki 1923. Rest in peace.”

His club, Radnicki 1923, described him as a great coach, saying the 44-year-old would be missed by everyone at the club.