Mladen Žižović 1980-2025

Žižović, the head coach of Radnički 1923, suffered a medical emergency on the touchline during the Serbian SuperLiga fixture against Mladost Lučani on Monday.

"Our club has lost not only a great specialist but above all a good person, a friend, and a sports worker who, with his knowledge, energy, and nobility, left a deep mark in the hearts of all who knew him," said a Radnički 1923 statement. "Football Club Radnicki 1923 extends its sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and everyone who shared a love for football with him. Rest in peace, Mladen."

Žižović, a former Bosnia and Herzegovina international midfielder, played for almost two decades before moving into coaching in 2017. He went on to manage clubs including Radnik Bijeljina, Zrinjski Mostar, and Sloboda Tuzla.

He led Borac Banja Luka in the UEFA Conference League during the 2024/25 season, steering them to the round of 16, and was appointed head coach of Serbian club Radnički 1923 in October.

As a player, Žižović was a league champion with Radnik Bijeljina in only his second season as a professional, before returning to the club at the tail end of his career and winning the Bosnian Cup in his final season.

He also spent a five-year stint at Zrinjski Mostar, with whom he won the Bosnian Cup in 2008 and Bosnian Premier League in 2009, and he picked up an Albanian Cup winner’s medal during his time with Tirana in 2011.