Athletes weeping as manager dies during game
Mladen Zizovic had just assumed leadership of the football club in October
Athletes collapsed on the field weeping as they learned of their manager's death during a contest in the Serbian SuperLiga
Head coach the 44-year-old collapsed and underwent emergency care pitchside before being transported to medical facilities during his side's game at their opponents' ground on Monday
The top-tier contest continued but was abandoned shortly before half-time when news of the coach's passing got to the stadium
Footage of the match showed team members and personnel from both sides in emotional pain at the news
The former Bosnia and Herzegovina representative player, 44, was just named leader of his team on 23 October
"Our club has lost not only a outstanding specialist but most importantly a wonderful human being, a confidant, and a athlete who, with his knowledge, enthusiasm and integrity has made a significant impact on the emotions of all who were acquainted with him"
The national football governing body said its "sports circle has been deprived of one more genuine soccer expert" with his demise
"Throughout his extensive athletic journey, Zizovic was part of various organizations in the top division of the country, most notably Zrinjski Mostar, another team and a third organization, and he also wore the uniform of the country's representative side"
"Upon completing his professional playing days, he committed his time to management, guiding clubs in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region"
"The premature death represents a great loss for Bosnian-Herzegovinian football"
"The dedication for the sport and the impact you created will stay in our memories forever"
Prominent teams also paid tribute, including Red Star Belgrade, who expressed their "deepest condolences"
