Mladen Žižović (foto: uradna spletna stran kluba)
FK Borac Banja Luka mourns the death of former coach Mladen Žižović, who led the club to its greatest European success. The club’s farewell message moved the region.
The shocking death of Mladen Žižović has left Banja Luka and FK Borac in deep mourning. The former coach, who guided the club to its greatest-ever European success, died suddenly during a match in Serbia on Sunday.
Borac published an emotional statement on its official channels, remembering Žižović not only as a coach but as a friend, mentor, and symbol of the club’s proudest chapter — the run to the Round of 16 in the UEFA Conference League, a feat never before achieved in the club’s history.
A farewell filled with emotion
“Boss, our Žiža, we can’t believe you’re gone.
We are devastated by the terrible news that reached Platanova 6. We can’t accept that we’ll never see your smile again, never hear your jokes or your voice when you spoke about football — the game you devoted your life to.
You left us at 44, but your memory will live forever in every moment spent at our City Stadium — first as a player, then as a coach who achieved the greatest European success in our history.
We’ll always remember that you gave Borac and Banja Luka the best of yourself and that together we wrote stories that will live forever. Life is cruel and takes the best too soon, but you will live through us as we keep telling the story of Mladen Žižović — the man, the coach, the father, the son, and the friend.
Mladen, may your glory be eternal — Borac and Banja Luka will remember you forever!”
The statement captured the mood of the entire city, where fans and locals alike have been leaving flowers and club scarves near the stadium entrance in silent tribute.
A legacy that changed Borac forever
Žižović took over Borac during one of the most challenging periods in the club’s modern history and transformed it into a disciplined, European-level side. Under his leadership, Borac eliminated Olimpija Ljubljana and reached the UEFA Conference League Round of 16, a success that many in Bosnia still describe as “a miracle of Banja Luka.”
Although his time with the club ended earlier this year after a brief European exit, Žižović remained loved and respected by everyone in Banja Luka. His death has united fans across Bosnia and Serbia in grief and remembrance.