Players in tears as head coach passes away in the middle of game
The coach had just assumed leadership of his team last month
Players fell to the ground sobbing as they learned of their manager's death during a contest in Serbia's top flight
Team manager Mladen Zizovic suffered a collapse and underwent emergency care on the sidelines before being taken to hospital during his club's fixture at the away venue on the start of the week
The Serbian SuperLiga match proceeded but was called off shortly before half-time when news of Zizovic's death reached the stadium
Recordings of the match showed team members and personnel from the competing clubs in emotional pain at the news
Previously a Bosnian international player, forty-four, was only appointed leader of FK Radnicki 1923 on October 23rd
"Our club has lost not only a great professional but primarily a good man, a friend, and a sportsman who, with his expertise, enthusiasm and integrity has left a deep mark on the hearts of all who knew him"
The national football governing body said its "football community has been deprived of one more dedicated sports professional" with his passing
"During his extensive athletic journey, the manager represented various organizations in the top division of the nation, most notably Zrinjski Mostar, another team and a third organization, and he additionally represented the uniform of the national squad"
"Upon completing his playing career, he devoted his efforts to training, guiding organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and surrounding countries"
"The unexpected demise signifies a major setback for Bosnian-Herzegovinian football"
"The dedication for football and the impact you left will remain with us for all time"
Leading clubs additionally expressed condolences, including the famous club, who conveyed their "deepest condolences"
