Footballers weeping as manager succumbs during fixture

Athletes collapsed on the field in tears as they discovered of their manager's death during a game in the country's premier division

Head coach the 44-year-old collapsed and was given medical attention on the sidelines before being transported to medical facilities during his club's fixture at Mladost Lucani on the start of the week

The Serbian SuperLiga match went on but was called off shortly before the interval when information of the manager's demise reached the stadium

Recordings of the match showed players and officials from the competing clubs in emotional pain at the tragic information

The former Bosnia and Herzegovina national team member, forty-four, was recently selected leader of the football club on 23 October

"Our club has suffered the loss of not only a great professional but most importantly a wonderful human being, a friend, and a athlete who, with his understanding, enthusiasm and integrity has left a deep mark on the hearts of all who had the privilege of meeting him"

The Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Association said its "football community has been deprived of an additional genuine soccer expert" with his demise

"In the course of his lengthy professional experience, the manager represented multiple teams in the top division of Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially HSK Zrinjski Mostar, Radnik Bijeljina and Borac Banja Luka, and he additionally represented the uniform of the country's representative side"

"After ending his athletic journey, he committed his time to management, leading clubs in the region and neighboring nations"

"The premature death signifies a significant blow for the national sports community"

"Your love for soccer and the mark you established will remain with us permanently"

Leading clubs also paid tribute, including the famous club, who passed on their "deepest condolences"