
Serbian football has been shaken by a serious incident that occurred on Sunday in the championship, where Radnicki 1923 coach Mladen Zizovic lost his life at the age of 44 after suffering a heart attack during the match against Mladost.
Zizovic collapsed near the touchline in the 22nd minute and medical staff immediately intervened, before the coach was rushed to hospital. The match was temporarily suspended and only resumed after Zizovic was taken to the hospital centre. But about 20 minutes after the restart, the players and staff received the terrible news that the coach had passed away.
Footage circulating on social media showed heartbreaking scenes, with players breaking down in tears and supporting each other on the pitch. Shortly after, the referee decided to permanently stop the match.
Mladen Zizovic had only taken charge of Radnicki 1923 on 23 October, managing the team in three matches. He was a former Bosnian midfielder who retired from football in 2016 and had two caps for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team. During his career, he had also played in Albania, specifically with Tirana in the 2010–2011 season, playing 14 matches and scoring 1 goal.
Zizovic is survived by three children. The Serbian Football Federation expressed its deepest condolences, calling Zizovic's passing "an extraordinary loss for the football community." "Rest in peace, Mladen. Your love for football and the legacy you left behind will remain forever," the Serbian Federation wrote.
??????????????? | Srbistan Süper Ligi team Radnicki 1923's technical director Mladen Zizovic, away player Mladost Lucani died after a heart attack during the match.
— Balkan Futbolu (@BalkanFutbolu) November 4, 2025
44-year-old technical adam, maç?n 22. dak???nda aniden yere ???ld?. Hastaneye kahal?lan… pic.twitter.com/slGoGJj1aw