BELGRADE, SERBIA – The Serbian football world was plunged into shock on Monday, November 3, 2025, after Mladen Zizovic, the head coach of FK Radnicki 1923, died after collapsing during a top-flight league match. The 44-year-old reportedly suffered a massive heart attack.

The tragic incident occurred 22 minutes into the Serbian SuperLiga fixture between FK Radnicki 1923 and Mladost Lucani. Zizovic collapsed near the touchline and received immediate emergency medical attention from the medical staff of both teams before being rushed to a local hospital.

According to multiple international reports, the match was briefly paused and then resumed. However, approximately 20 minutes later, news of Zizovic's death was relayed to the stadium, and the game was officially abandoned shortly before halftime. Television footage captured scenes of profound distress, with players and officials from both teams falling to the pitch in tears upon hearing the news.

A Respected Career Cut Short

Mladen Zizovic, born on December 27, 1980, in Rogatica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, was a former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. His playing career included stints at several prominent clubs in the region, such as HSK Zrinjski Mostar, FK Radnik Bijeljina, and FK Borac Banja Luka. He also earned two caps for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team in 2008.

After retiring as a player, Zizovic transitioned into management, coaching several clubs across Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, and briefly in Saudi Arabia. One of his notable achievements came last season when he guided Bosnian club FK Borac Banja Luka to their first-ever UEFA Europa Conference League knockout tie. He had only been appointed as the manager of FK Radnicki 1923 on October 23, 2025, less than two weeks before his untimely death.

Tributes From the Football World

The sudden death of Zizovic has sent shockwaves through the European football community, prompting an outpouring of condolences.

In a statement released on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, his club, FK Radnicki 1923, said: “Our club has lost not only a great professional but above all a good man, a friend, and a sportsman who, with his knowledge, energy and nobility has left a deep mark on the hearts of all who knew him.”

The Football Association of Serbia (FSS) described his passing as a “great loss for Serbian football.” Similarly, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Association expressed its deep sorrow, stating the “football community has lost another true football professional.”

Nenad Lalatovic, the manager of the opposing team Mladost Lucani, told local media he had attempted to assist Zizovic before he lost consciousness. “I still can't believe how life can turn upside down in a second,” Lalatovic said. “Mladen was an exceptional man, a friend, and a professional. The football world has lost a great human being.”

Broader Context and Local Relevance

While there are no direct links between this tragic event and Kenyan football, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the intense pressures and underlying health risks faced by athletes and coaches in professional sports globally. Medical emergencies in football, though rare, are not unprecedented and often lead to wider discussions on mandatory health screenings, emergency medical training for staff, and the overall welfare of individuals involved in high-performance environments.

The incident in Serbia underscores the critical importance of having robust emergency action plans and readily available medical equipment, such as defibrillators, at all sporting venues. For sports federations in Kenya and across East Africa, this event may prompt a review of existing medical protocols to ensure the highest standards of care and preparedness for players and technical staff alike during both training and competitive matches.

Zizovic's funeral is scheduled to take place in Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on Thursday, November 6, 2025.