🔗 Share this article

Athletes collapsed on the field in tears as they discovered of their manager's death in the middle of a contest in Serbia's top flight

Team manager the former international collapsed and received treatment pitchside before being transported to medical facilities during his team's match at the away venue on Monday

The Serbian SuperLiga match continued but was halted just prior to the interval when news of the coach's passing reached the venue

Video of the contest showed players and officials from each team in distress at the news

Previously a BH representative player, mid-forties, was recently selected head coach of the football club on 23 October

"The team has lost not only a excellent coach but above all a wonderful human being, a companion, and a competitor who, with his knowledge, vitality and nobility has left a deep mark on the hearts of all who were acquainted with him"

The Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Association said its "soccer family has been deprived of another true football professional" with his death

"In the course of his rich playing career, the coach played for various organizations in the first tier of Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly his former club, Radnik Bijeljina and Borac Banja Luka, and he furthermore played in the colors of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team"

"Following the conclusion of his playing career, he committed his time to management, directing clubs in the region and the region"

"The premature death signifies a great loss for Bosnian-Herzegovinian football"

"Your love for football and the impact you established will be remembered by all forever"

Leading clubs additionally expressed condolences, including the renowned team, who conveyed their "deepest condolences"