Bulgarian national football team head coach resigns

Following talks between the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) and the national team's head coach Ilian Iliev, on whose initiative the meeting was held, the two sides have parted ways by mutual consent, the BFU's official website announced.

The BFU expressed its gratitude to the coach for his professionalism, dedication, and efforts in developing the national team, wishing him success in his future professional endeavors. Iliev expressed hope that the change would ease the tension surrounding the team and bring a more positive attitude in the football community, CE Report quotes BTA.

In the coming days, the Bulgarian Football Union will release official information about the new head coach and the coaching staff that will lead the team in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

On Monday evening, Iliev announced in a conversation with a reporter from the Bulgarian News Agency that he would initiate a conversation on Tuesday, and also suggested that a change would be best for the future of the national football team.

He combined his position at the helm of the national team with that of head coach of PFC Cherno More Varna. He took over Bulgaria in late autumn 2023, and since then has recorded three wins, nine draws, and six defeats in 18 matches. Last week, Bulgaria started the World Cup qualifiers on the road to the 2026 World Cup in Group E with two 0-3 defeats to Spain and Georgia, which caused discontent.

His start as a national team head coach was extremely turbulent, as he was appointed at a time when the Vasil Levski National Stadium was surrounded by protests from fans demanding the resignation of then-BFU president Borislav Mihaylov. However, Iliev started with a 2-2 draw with Hungary and a 2-2 draw with Serbia, and then went on to complete a full campaign in the UEFA Nations League, where the team finished second in Group C3.