Mladen Zizovic (†)

Coach collapses during game and dies shortly afterwards

A death overshadowed the Serbian first division match between FK Mladost Lucani and FK Radnicki. The 44-year-old visiting coach suddenly collapsed.

04 November 2025

From: dpa/sn

Visiting coach Mladen Zizovic collapsed during Monday evening's match and died shortly afterward, according to multiple Serbian media reports. The exact cause of death was not immediately released. Zizovic was 44 years old.

Radicki's coach collapsed in the 22nd minute, the game was interrupted and the coach was taken away in an ambulance, the Serbian news agency reported. BetaThe match in Lucani, 160 kilometers south of Belgrade, initially continued until the news of the death was announced in the 41st minute. Players from both teams reacted with shock, many weeping on the pitch.

“Great tragedy”: Club and league mourn

“Our club has lost not only an outstanding expert, but above all a good person, friend and dedicated sportsman who left a deep impression on everyone who knew him with his knowledge, energy and integrity,” Radicki wrote on his Facebook page.

Zizovic had only taken over as coach of FK Radnicki, based in the city of Kragujevac, just under two weeks ago. His death represents "a great tragedy and an immense loss for Serbian and regional football," the Serbian Super League announced.