Sandi Ogrinec (foto: Nogomania)
Sandi Ogrinec speaks for Nogomania about late coach Mladen Žižović, recalling how the Bosnian tactician revived his career and changed his outlook on football.
Few players were shaped by Mladen Žižović as profoundly as Sandi Ogrinec, the Slovenian midfielder who blossomed under the late coach at Borac Banja Luka. Speaking exclusively to Nogomania, Ogrinec shared emotional memories of the man who, in his words, “changed my career and my life.”
The football world is still reeling from the sudden death of Žižović, who collapsed during a league match in Serbia. Tributes continue to pour in, none more heartfelt than from the players he mentored — and Ogrinec’s story perfectly captures the personal impact Žižović had on those around him.
“I can’t find the words…”
“I’m in shock. I’ve been trying for hours to accept that he’s gone,” Ogrinec began, his voice breaking with emotion.
“Mladen was a great man — the coach I learned the most from, and the one who made me see football in a completely different way. Because of him, I had the best season of my career. He took me under his wing from day one and believed in me until the very end. I’ll be forever grateful.”
Under Žižović, Ogrinec delivered the season of his life — 40 appearances, nine goals, and four assists — as Borac reached the Round of 16 in the UEFA Conference League, their greatest European achievement.
“The match against Olimpija was our pinnacle”
“The highlight? Without a doubt, that first match against Olimpija,” Ogrinec recalled, smiling faintly through the pain. “That was the moment everything came together — for him, for the team, for me. He was a coach who restored my confidence and put me back on the football map.”
“It's such a tragedy. He was a man who did so much good for football. My deepest condolences go to his family and loved ones,” he concluded.
A bond beyond football
Ogrinec’s words reflect what many in Borac have expressed — Žižović wasn’t just a tactician, but a mentor, motivator, and father figure to young players looking for direction. His legacy lives on through those he inspired to believe in themselves again.