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Team members dropped to their knees in tears as they were informed of their head coach's demise throughout a game in the Serbian SuperLiga

FK Radnicki 1923 coach Mladen Zizovic suffered a collapse and was given medical attention beside the field before being transported to medical facilities during his side's game at the away venue on the start of the week

The professional game continued but was abandoned just prior to the interval when information of Zizovic's death reached the venue

Video of the game showed athletes and staff from each team in distress at the tragic information

The ex- Bosnia and Herzegovina national team member, mid-forties, was just named head coach of his team on late October

"The team has lost not only a excellent coach but primarily a wonderful human being, a confidant, and a competitor who, with his expertise, enthusiasm and nobility has left a deep mark on the hearts of all who had the privilege of meeting him"

The national football governing body said its "football community has been deprived of an additional genuine soccer expert" with his passing

"In the course of his extensive athletic journey, the manager played for multiple teams in the first tier of the country, especially HSK Zrinjski Mostar, another team and Borac Banja Luka, and he also wore the colors of the country's representative side"

"Upon completing his athletic journey, he devoted his efforts to management, guiding organizations in the region and neighboring nations"

"The unexpected demise represents a great loss for the country's soccer"

"The passion for soccer and the impact you created will remain with us permanently"

Leading clubs also paid tribute, including the renowned team, who passed on their "heartfelt sorrow"