When the European football is mourning over the shocking and sudden death of Bosnian manager Mladen Zizovic, who died at the venue of a Serbian top, on Sunday. The 44 year old Radnicki 1923 head coach had got sick after only 22 minutes into the match with Mladost and all the players, coaches and fans were shocked.
On the sidelines, medical staff hurried to Mladen Zizovic and took him to a hospital located nearby. The game was temporarily resumed when he was on his way to the ground but after only 20 minutes, he was reported dead. The emotional effect was instantaneous. Players and coaches of both teams wept in the field and the game was eventually called off.
It was the second match of Mladen Zizovic, a former Bosnia and Herzegovina international midfielder, in charge of Radnički 1923 after he only replaced the manager in October 23. He had already gained respect due to his humble approach and cool style of leadership, however, it took not long before he started earning it. He has three children.
Service of Memorial in Kragujevac
The community and the club rallied around paying tribute to him. On Wednesday, a memorial service was commemorated at the Kragujevac assembly hall of the city and it was attended by players, staff, supporters and representatives of clubs in Serbia. One of the people present was New Serbian national team head coach, Veljko Paunovic.
A framed photograph of Mladen Zizovic was surrounded by flowers, and was positioned with a Radnički shirt, scarf, and tactics board – the symbols of the zeal with which he played the game. The club posted an emotional message on social media that referred to him as a man of nobility and an example to many.
The club said not only was he a coach. He has been an individual whose composure, hard work and passion towards football made a lasting impression. He will always be remembered in our minds.
Players Still Reeling
Defender Mehmed Cosic of Radnički who was present at the time the collapse occurred stated that the coach did not feel well prior to kickoff and said that he did not feel good during the game. We thought he would go back to us. The referee thereupon halted the game. Someone said he died. The whole thing came to a halt, Cosic remembered.
Players and staff of Radniik are to be given time off, and the next match of the club is now postponed. Thursday, November 6 has been set as the day of a funeral.
The football world has lost a leader that was highly respected and his time was prematurely cut short.
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