Athletes crying as coach succumbs in the middle of game
The manager had just assumed leadership of his team in October
Players fell to the ground in tears as they were informed of their manager's death during a game in the Serbian SuperLiga
Team manager Mladen Zizovic suffered a collapse and received treatment beside the field before being transported to medical facilities during his club's fixture at their opponents' ground on Monday
The professional game continued but was abandoned moments before the interval when word of the coach's passing arrived at the stadium
Recordings of the game showed players and officials from each team in grief at the development
The former Bosnia and Herzegovina national team member, 44, was just named manager of FK Radnicki 1923 on late October
"The team has suffered the loss of not only a outstanding specialist but primarily a wonderful human being, a companion, and a competitor who, with his expertise, energy and integrity has left a deep mark on the emotions of all who had the privilege of meeting him"
The country's soccer authority said its "soccer family has lost another genuine soccer expert" with his passing
"In the course of his rich playing career, the manager represented numerous clubs in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially HSK Zrinjski Mostar, FK Radnik Bijeljina and a third organization, and he also wore the jersey of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team"
"After ending his professional playing days, he committed his time to training, guiding organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and surrounding countries"
"His untimely passing constitutes a significant blow for the country's soccer"
"Your love for the sport and the impact you established will stay in our memories forever"
Prominent teams also paid tribute, including the famous club, who conveyed their "most sincere sympathies"
