Players in tears as coach passes away amid game
Mladen Zizovic only took charge of the football club in October
Team members dropped to their knees weeping as they were informed of their coach's passing throughout a game in Serbia's top flight
Team manager Mladen Zizovic suffered a collapse and received treatment on the sidelines before being rushed to a healthcare center during his club's fixture at their opponents' ground on recently
The top-tier contest proceeded but was abandoned shortly before half-time when information of Zizovic's death arrived at the venue
Footage of the contest showed athletes and staff from both sides in grief at the tragic information
The former Bosnian national team member, 44, was just named leader of FK Radnicki 1923 on October 23rd
"The organization has lost not only a outstanding specialist but primarily a wonderful human being, a companion, and a sportsman who, with his understanding, energy and character has created lasting memories on the emotions of all who had the privilege of meeting him"
The national football governing body said its "football community has been deprived of an additional true football professional" with his death
"In the course of his lengthy professional experience, Zizovic was part of various organizations in the Premier League of the nation, especially his former club, Radnik Bijeljina and Borac Banja Luka, and he additionally represented the jersey of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team"
"Upon completing his playing career, he committed his time to coaching, directing teams in the area and the region"
"The premature death constitutes a significant blow for the country's soccer"
"The passion for football and the impact you created will remain with us permanently"
Leading clubs also paid tribute, including the renowned team, who expressed their "deepest condolences"
