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\nMladen \u017di\u017eovi\u0107 died shortly after collapsing during Radnicki 1923’s game against Mladost Lucani on Monday, Nov.3″Our club has lost not only a great expert, but above all a good man, friend and sportsman,” said Radnicki 1923 in a tribute The 44-year-old soccer coach is survived by three children <\/p>\n
Mladen \u017di\u017eovi\u0107, a coach of the Serbian soccer team Radni\u010dki 1923, has died. He was 44.\n<\/p>\n
On Monday, Nov. 3, \u017di\u017eovi\u0107 collapsed on the sideline in the 22nd minute as Radni\u010dki 1923 played against Mladost Lucani at the stadium in Lu\u010dani, according to local news outlets Blic<\/a> and Vecernje Novosti<\/a>. Doctors rushed to help him as he was transported off the field into a responding ambulance.\n<\/p>\n A few minutes later, the game was stopped as it was revealed that \u017di\u017eovi\u0107 had died on the way to the hospital, Blic reported. Players from both teams fell to the grass in tears and in shock.\n<\/p>\n The Football Association [FA] of Serbia said in a tribute on Instagram<\/a> that they were in \u201cdeep sorrow and disbelief\u201d by \u017di\u017eovi\u0107\u2019s \u201csudden death. \u201cHis early departure represents a huge loss to the entire football community,\u201d the tribute read.\n<\/p>\n Mladen Zizovic.<\/p>\n Jurij Kodrun\/Getty<\/p>\n Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/a> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.\n<\/p>\n \u201cFootball Association of Serbia expresses its deepest condolences to the \u017di\u017eovi\u0107 family, the members of FC Radni\u010dki 1923, as well as all friends and admirers of his character and work,\u201d the FA of Serbia continued.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \u201cRest in peace, Young one. Your love for football and the mark you left will stay forever among us,\u201d they concluded.\n<\/p>\n Born in Rogatica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in December 1980, \u017di\u017eovi\u0107 pursued a playing career as a midfielder. According to an obituary<\/a>, Mladost from Rogatica and Radnik from Bijeljina were among the variety of teams he played for.\n<\/p>\n After finishing his career at Radnik in 2016, he began coaching a year later. He coached several teams before joining Radni\u010dki 1923 on Oct. 23. His death came during his third game in charge of the club.\n<\/p>\n \u201cWith the deepest sorrow, we inform the public, fans and sports friends that our chief of the professional staff, Mladen \u017di\u017eovi\u0107, died during tonight’s game between Mladost and Radni\u010dki 1923 in Lucani,\u201d said the club in a statement on Instagram<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n Mladen Zizovic.<\/p>\n Srdjan Stevanovic – UEFA\/UEFA via Getty<\/p>\n \u201cOur club has lost not only a great expert, but above all a good man, friend and sportsman who with his knowledge, energy and nobility, left a deep mark on the hearts of all who knew him,\u201d the statement continued.\n<\/p>\n \u201cFootball club Radni\u010dki 1923 sends its most sincere condolences to his family, friends and everyone who shared the love of football with him. Rest in peace, Young one,” the club concluded.\n<\/p>\n Mladen \u017di\u017eovi\u0107 is survived by two daughters and a son, according to Vecernje Novosti.<\/a><\/p>\n