Bulgaria appoints new coach in wake of racism row: reports

Georgi Dermendzhiev will replace Krasimir Balakov, who quit last week in the wake of a loss against England overshadowed by racist abuse.

Published : Oct 21, 2019 19:42 IST

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: Georgi Dermendzhiev, Manager of Ludogorets Razgrad looks on ahead of the UEFA Champions League group A match between Arsenal FC and PFC Ludogorets Razgrad at the Emirates Stadium on October 19, 2016 in London, England.  (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: Georgi Dermendzhiev, Manager of Ludogorets Razgrad looks on ahead of the UEFA Champions League group A match between Arsenal FC and PFC Ludogorets Razgrad at the Emirates Stadium on October 19, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: Georgi Dermendzhiev, Manager of Ludogorets Razgrad looks on ahead of the UEFA Champions League group A match between Arsenal FC and PFC Ludogorets Razgrad at the Emirates Stadium on October 19, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Bulgaria appointed Georgi Dermendzhiev as new national football coach in place of Krasimir Balakov, who quit last week in the wake of a 0-6 loss against England overshadowed by racist abuse.

“Georgy Dermendzhiev is the new Bulgarian national team coach. All has been agreed, he's the new manager. We'll finalise the documents tomorrow,” Bulgarian Football Union vice-president Yordan Lechkov was quoted as telling sportal.bg sports website on Monday.

Dermendzhiev confirmed the news to another sports website, gong.bg , adding that he expected to sign his contract “today or tomorrow.”

The 64-year-old coach is one of Bulgaria's most successful club managers. He led Ludogorets to three Bulgarian league titles from 2015 to 2017 and to the group stages of the 2015 Champions League. After Ludogorets, he coached Kazakhstan's Ordabasy before briefly taking the helm at Levski Sofia.

Balakov, who took over the national team in May, quit on Friday after the Euro 2020 qualifiers loss against England.

Read | UEFA president Ceferin calls for 'war on racists'

Monkey chants and apparent Nazi salutes during the game sparked a storm of indignation, prompting the resignation of Bulgarian Football Union's president Borislav Mihaylov and the organisation's whole executive committee.

Bulgaria is in a hurry to pick a new coach ahead of its last Euro 2020 qualifying game against the Czech Republic on November 17.

Bulgaria is last in Group A but still has a chance to qualify for the Euros through the playoffs.

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