(Reuters) -Serbian top-flight club FK Radnicki 1923's coach Mladen Zizovic died during a league match on Monday, the club said in a statement on social media.
Media reports said Zizovic, 44, suffered a heart attack during the first half at Mladost Lucani.
Former Bosnia midfielder Zizovic was appointed as the Radnicki 1923 head coach less than two weeks ago.
"Our club has lost not only a great professional, but above all a good man, a friend, and a sportsman who, with his knowledge, energy, and nobility, has left a deep mark on the hearts of all who knew him," the club said in a statement.
Zizovic was rushed to the hospital after his collapse. Several players broke down crying on the pitch and the Serbian SuperLiga match was abandoned when the news of his death reached officials.
"His untimely departure represents a tremendous loss for the entire football community," the Serbian football association (FSS) said in a statement.
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
