The crowd had fallen silent. Just 22 minutes into the match, coach Mladen Zizović, only 44, suddenly collapsed on the sidelines. Moments later, players watched in disbelief as medics rushed to save the man they called “Boss.”

The beloved Radnički 1923 manager was taken to hospital — but the news that followed broke hearts across Serbia and Bosnia. Zizović had suffered a fatal heart attack. When players learned their coach was gone, many fell to the ground in tears. “We can’t believe you left us,” his former team wrote. “Your laughter, your passion for the game — it will stay with us forever.”

Known for his calm spirit and deep love for football, Zizović had led teams across the Balkans, earning respect wherever he went. Just weeks into his new role at Radnički, he spoke often about rebuilding, about hope.

He leaves behind his wife, three children, and a legacy of dedication that inspired countless young players. “Life is cruel,” one player said softly. “It takes the best of us too soon.”

Now, stadiums across the region mourn not just a coach — but a man who lived and breathed the game until his final breath.