Serbian football manager dies during match
Newly emerged footage has shown the quiet moments before a devastating incident during a Serbian top flight match that led to the death of Radnicki 1923 manager Mladen Zizovic, reports BritPanorama.
The 44-year-old collapsed at the side of the pitch just 22 minutes into his team’s fixture against Mladost Lucani on Sunday evening. He was taken to hospital, where he was later confirmed to have died following a heart attack.
Initially, Zizovic is seen standing beside the dugout, arms folded, instructing players as they maintained a 1-0 lead. The atmosphere appeared routine until everything tragically changed.
Footage captured moments of panic as staff rushed to assist him after he fell on the turf, with medical personnel quickly summoned while players looked on in shock. The match was paused before resuming; however, as news of Zizovic’s death spread just before half-time, play was abandoned completely.
Reports describe visible devastation within the stadium, with players from both teams breaking down and comforting one another as the enormity of the tragedy became apparent. One of Zizovic’s players, Mehmed Cosic, revealed that the coach had complained about his meal prior to the match and had expressed feeling unwell earlier in the day.
“I did not fall asleep until almost 3.30am. I have no words; we are stunned,” Cosic said, recalling Zizovic’s instructions moments before he collapsed. “He turned to the others and said, ‘I am not feeling well, I am not feeling well’,” Cosic added.
Attempts to continue the match were made, as players held on to the hope that their manager might return. Zizovic’s sudden death prompted an immediate halt, with shocking responses echoing throughout the pitch as confirmation of the loss set in.
Radnicki 1923 have since suspended training for the week, and next weekend’s match against Cukaricki has been postponed. A funeral is scheduled for Thursday. Supporters of FK Borac Banja Luka, where Zizovic previously worked as both player and manager, have painted a mural outside the club stadium in his memory.
Radnicki 1923 expressed their “deep pain and disbelief” over Zizovic’s passing, acknowledging his calm presence and professionalism. Zizovic, who represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at international level, had only recently taken charge of Radnicki 1923 less than a month before his untimely demise, leaving a profound impact across the region.
In a sport often marked by competition, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the human heart beating at its centre — and the fragility that comes with it.
