44-Year-Old Soccer Coach Dies on Route to Hospital After Collapsing During Game: ‘A Huge Loss to the Entire Community’

Mladen Žižović, a coach of the Serbian soccer team Radnički 1923, has died. He was 44.

On Monday, Nov. 3, Žižović collapsed on the sideline in the 22nd minute as Radnički 1923 played against Mladost Lucani at the stadium in Lučani, according to local news outlets Blic and Vecernje Novosti. Doctors rushed to help him as he was transported off the field into a responding ambulance.

A few minutes later, the game was stopped as it was revealed that Žižović had died on the way to the hospital, Blic reported. Players from both teams fell to the grass in tears and in shock.

The Football Association [FA] of Serbia said in a tribute on Instagram that they were in “deep sorrow and disbelief” by Žižović’s “sudden death. “His early departure represents a huge loss to the entire football community,” the tribute read.

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“Football Association of Serbia expresses its deepest condolences to the Žižović family, the members of FC Radnički 1923, as well as all friends and admirers of his character and work,” the FA of Serbia continued. 

“Rest in peace, Young one. Your love for football and the mark you left will stay forever among us,” they concluded.

Born in Rogatica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in December 1980, Žižović pursued a playing career as a midfielder. According to an obituary, Mladost from Rogatica and Radnik from Bijeljina were among the variety of teams he played for.

After finishing his career at Radnik in 2016, he began coaching a year later. He coached several teams before joining Radnički 1923 on Oct. 23. His death came during his third game in charge of the club.

“With the deepest sorrow, we inform the public, fans and sports friends that our chief of the professional staff, Mladen Žižović, died during tonight’s game between Mladost and Radnički 1923 in Lucani,” said the club in a statement on Instagram.

“Our club has lost not only a great expert, but above all a good man, friend and sportsman who with his knowledge, energy and nobility, left a deep mark on the hearts of all who knew him,” the statement continued.

“Football club Radnički 1923 sends its most sincere condolences to his family, friends and everyone who shared the love of football with him. Rest in peace, Young one,” the club concluded.

Mladen Žižović is survived by two daughters and a son, according to Vecernje Novosti.