Mladen Zizovic collapsed pitch side following a heart attack (Screengrabs)

Serbian football was struck by tragedy on Monday after FK Radnicki 1923 head coach Mladen Zizovic collapsed and died during his team’s Serbian SuperLiga match against Mladost Lucani. He was 44.The incident took place midway through the first half in Lucani, forcing play to stop immediately in the 22nd minute. Medical officials rushed to Zizovic’s aid on the sidelines before he was taken to a nearby hospital.While the match briefly resumed, play was soon abandoned after news of Zizovic’s passing reached players and staff. Television footage showed several players from both sides dropping to their knees in disbelief and breaking down as the announcement was made inside the stadium.It is understood that the coach collapsed pitch side after suffering a fatal heart attack during the game. “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,” the club said in an official statement. “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.”Watch the tragic moment unfold hereIn a separate post, the club added, “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.”Local media reported that Zizovic suffered a massive heart failure, describing it as a “heart explosion.” The 44-year-old had taken charge of Radnicki less than two weeks ago.

Zizovic, a former midfielder who represented Bosnia and Herzegovina internationally, also had stints as coach of Borac Banja Luka, where he guided the club to their first-ever UEFA Conference League knockout stage.Borac paid tribute to their former player and coach, writing, “You left us at 44, but your memory will live forever 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.”