Travelling across Europe - proving I'm better than Dan!

We approached the penultimate month of the season on the back of a successful pervious month that saw us win all our games bar a draw with Cherno more. April pitted us with nine games - both legs of the Bulgarian Cup semi final against Litex along with seven tough league games as we still challenged for the league and cup double this season.


Our month began on the road as we visited Lokomotiv (Sofia) and we suffered a disappointing setback as they shocked us four two and despite defender Duran giving us the lead on three minutes the home side equalised just before half time through Paulo and then Georgiev struck on fifty two minutes to turn the game around. They finished the game off as Bozhilov scored twice on fifty seven and seventy seven minutes before we scored a second consolation goal with ten minutes remaining through Moran.

We then stayed on the road and faced a daunting trip to second placed Litex but we produced an excellent away performance to beat them two nil with goals from Venalainen on five minutes and Moran in the final minute of the first half.

Our Bulgarian Cup semi final first leg tie saw us remain on the road for the third game running and our second in succession against Litex and we pulled out a much better performance than the league tie as we raced into a four goal inside the opening half hour through goals from Rigas (2), Morrow and Guilherme before Slavchev scored a consolation goal for the shocked home side.

We returned to league action for our first home game of the month as we faced Chernomorets (Burgos) and a single goal from star striker Moran on sixty two minutes sealed three more points.

The second leg Bulgarian Cup semi final tie was home to Litex with us having a 4-1 aggregate lead following our impressive result in Lovech and this game was a belter as we played out a three all draw. Litex broke the deadlock after only three minutes through Bruninho but we turned the game around through goals from Uzunov and Moran but the visiting side levelled from the spot two minutes later but we had a three two half time lead on the night as Uzunov scored his second - Elaninho equalised on sixty one minutes to seal a draw but we advanced to the final.

Litex got revenge for us dumping out of the cup when we faced them in the league, the away side picked up an important three one win. Elaninho opened the scoring but Moran levelled on sixty four minutes but Litex won the game with two goals in the final eleven minutes with goals through Ivanov and Popov.

Our next game saw us make the trip to CSKA (Sofia) and both teams played out an absolute "A" Group classic as the points were shared in a ten goal thriller but I didn't think we'd get anything from the game as an Auger hat trick and a goal from Evtimou had the home side four nil up inside the half hour and then Moran scored what looked like just a consolation goal on thirty nine minutes. We pulled a second goal back on fifty nine minutes whenever winger Morrow nipped in and then a third consolation goal was scored through Duran on sixty five minutes but they made it five two on seventy eight minutes. The scoring wasn't completed yet as two more goals on seventy nine and eighty six minutes from Moran that completed his hat trick sealed an impressive draw.

Our penultimate game of the penultimate month saw us host Cherno more and they were defeated five two with two goals inside three minutes from Duran and Moran having us two up before Morrow added a third just before half time. Cherno more pulled one back early in the second half but Moran's second had us four two up but then Kisel's second saw Cherno add a second consolation goal before Guilherme added a fifth with three minutes left.

A trip to Slavia (Sofia) finished the month and we edged them two one, we broke the deadlock on thirty one minutes through defender Uzunov but they levelled proceedings six minutes later through Lukic but we won the game with eight minutes remaining through Dobrevski's goal.


We're ten points clear at the top of the table with six minutes remaining and I suppose it would take a major balls up for us not to win the league but I won't be getting too confident until the league title has (possibly) been confirmed.

The final month was upon us as we had six more league games to get through and a Bulgarian Cup final against Lokomotiv (Plovdiv) as I still looked to seal the league and cup double but it was going to be very difficult as we had two tough games back to back away from home but I'd try my best.


We started the final month of the season with a home clash against Ludogorets (Razgrad) and we edged a five goal thriller as we won three two and opened the scoring on four minutes when Moran converted a penalty and then the same man doubled the lead after seventeen minutes. Ludogorets pulled one back with twenty minutes remaining but then Moran completed his hat trick and surely the points with seven minutes left but they scored a second consolation goal in stoppage time.

The second game of the month had us host CSKA (Sofia) and Hristov's goal after ten minutes saw us slip to a disappointing home defeat.

Our first away game of the month had us make the journey to Lovech to entertain Litex and it was a day to celebrate despite only picking up a point on our travels but we had to do it the hard way as Moran was shown a straight red card on seventeen minutes but then Rigas gave us a shock lead but they levelled four minutes later through Ivanov and the same man gave Litex the lead but Uzunov scored on sixty two minutes to seal the point. When the final whistle was blown it was announced after the game that we had won the "A" Group title, which is a tremendous achievement.

The newly crowned "A" Group champions made the trip to Cherno more and we were defeated two one despite Morrow putting us into the lead on eight minutes but they equalised on thirty eight but then Uzunov was sent off for a professional four on forty four minutes and became our second player in consecutive games to be shown a straight red - he (along with Moran) will miss the Bulgarian Cup final and then Koleno won the game for the home side in second half stoppage time.

And the time was upon us, the Bulgarian Cup final with several players missing due to internationals (I'm sure injuries) and suspensions and Lokomotiv (Plovdiv) stood in our way of a league and cup double but we sealed that was Kunchev scored what turned out to be the winning goal on thirty eight minutes. The league and cup double was sealed and now only the "B" Group and Super Cup awaits me before I exit Bulgaria.

We couldn't "head on our holidays" just yet as we still had two league games left to conclude the season and the penultimate game was against Slavia (Sofia) and the double winners won one nil as Kunchev scored with five first half minutes remaining on the clock.

And the excellent league season ended with a trip to Ludogorets (Razgrad) and we ended with three more points as Dobrevski and Guilherme struck in the first half to give us the lead before the home side scored a consolation goal on sixty two minutes.


Champions!!

We finished the league as the best club in Bulgaria this season due to our league success as we ended up seven points clear of second place Litex. We scored eighty league goals on way to securing the title (Moran scored I think 39 in the league) and conceded forty four, so the defence needs to be addressed in pre season.

Well done mate! a fantastic double as I did predict

It's a great achievement, isn't it? All I need to do now is win the Super Cup so I can resign and then take a "B" Group job.

Another season is upon us and this post will deal with the seasonal expectations, the pre season friendly games that have been arranged and the draw for the twenty twenty-five Bulgarian Super Cup draw as I look to end my reign with Levski before the league season begins, can I? Only time will tell I suppose.


Following last seasons league success the board are expecting the same thing to happen and have backed me with slightly over a two million pound transfer fee that I probably not use unless needed as I feel the squad is good enough to challenge for the title once again.

The reason why I don't think anyone else will be signing is because I've already got three players arriving at the club as they agreed to sign pre-contracts during the second part of last season. One is a seventeen-year-old Greek right back, one is a nineteen-year-old Turk and the other one is a young central defender who is only fifteen-years-old. The future is definitely looking bright at Levski.


Just the four games have been arranged in pre season and they're two home games vs. 1860 Munich and Dinamo Moscow along with two trips to Septemvri (Simitli) and Hunedoara.

Two games were arranged in the final week or so in June by my assistant manager against Dutch side Ajax and Russian's Anji. We suffered a two one defeat against Ajax and drew three all with the Russian side Anji.


This could be my final game at Levski. We embark on Vasil Levski to face Bulgarian Cup runners-up Lokomotiv 1926 (Plovdiv) in the Bulgarian Super Cup. Win this game and my time at Levski has come to an end and then I need to start looking for a "B" Group game, lose and I'm stuck at the club for another season and I'd need to win the Bulgarian Cup...again.

Another harsh budget. Guarantee you win the super cup then go win the b league same season!

We'll see. I've played the game mate so expect an update any minute now.

So I had one game remaining that would determine my managerial future in management, win and I would resign and look for a "B" Group job but lose and I would be stuck at the club for at least one more season - yes, the Bulgarian Super Cup was upon us as we faced Bulgarian Cup runners-up Lokomotiv (Plovdiv) at a neutral venue.


My reign as manager of Levski has come to an end after securing the Super Cup following a three one win over Lokomotiv (Plovdiv) as Morrow opened the scoring on nineteen minutes and that's how it remained until the final twenty minutes as Duran headed home a second goal before they pulled a goal back through Boev who nipped in but the trophy was secured on seventy eight minutes with the prolific Moran making it three one.

That win means I must leave this group of players, I hope whoever takes over continues the great success I've gained.


And a day after the game I ended my time at the club with immediate effect. It was a time to remember as last season I won the "A" Group league title along with the Bulgarian Cup while the most recent trophy going into the clubs cabinet was the Bulgarian Super Cup, which was secured following a three one win over Lokomotiv (Plovdiv).

One promising job is currently available in the "B" Group and it's a team who are predicted to come fourth in the table so I might apply for it and just hope they approach me to take the reigns as I feel they could make a promotion push if they kick off the season in style, the other available jobs (three, I think) are dead end jobs that don't interest me.

Great job there...thinking about relegated Vidima-Rakovski or Botev Vratsa..

Told you and now you will go win the B league this season

Unfortunately their jobs aren't available but their is one who are predicted to come fourth, I might apply for that while the others are expected to beat relegation...no thanks!


You were right for the first time in your life. Well done. It's going to be tough to win the "B" Group as it's important I take over a team who are still in pre season, take over a team after pre season and it's going to be tough to get them used to your tactics immediately with competitive matches already in progress.

With my resignation reluctantly accepted by the Levski board, I have wasted in no time in looking for a new job in the "B" Group league as I look to leave Bulgarian football at the end of this forthcoming season as the plan is to hopefully be in Croatia this time next season. Can it happen? Time will tell I suppose but it'll be hard.

During my time at Levski I wrapped up the Bulgarian "A" Group and Bulgarian Cup last season along with the Bulgarian Super Cup at the beginning of this season before my reign came to an end. It was time to find a new job in the league below but how quickly could I do that?


So I headed to the Job Centre to see what vacancy's were available and I found a team who are predicted to finish fourth were looking for a new manager and I wasted no time applying for the post - three more jobs were also available but they were "dead end" jobs - Montana are flattered in my interest.

All I need to do is wait and see if they'll approach me.


And they did approach me to take over at the club and the club's chairman has offered me a four-year deal and a transfer budget of one point four million pounds to play with that I may need to use some of it to capture players who I want - but we'll soon see one I evaluate the team before I do anything drastic to the team.

The club will be paying me eight hundred and seventy five points through the duration of my current contract at Ogosta and I would like to guarantee that I will win the league this forthcoming season but I can't do that because I don't think we will but we'll try our best.

Club's minimum expectation for this season is for the team to achieve a respectable league position. They're predicted to come fourth.


Would I have been stupid not to take the job? They're a good club with some good players and the most important thing is that the squad can be improved and that'll be my first aim - see who isn't good enough and look to bring better players in before moving them on/releasing them, unless they recently signed then I'd be unable too.

This is now my seventh managerial job following spells at Altach, Zhlobin, Torpedo, Namur, Anderlecht and most recently Levski. I'm apparantly a "highly respected" manager.

Good luck in Group B of Bulgaria. Seems to be a good club to me. But I don't recognize the team.... he wasn't in League A of B with Dan.

Good luck mate, a good budget to work with so no doubt you will be just as successful here as you have been everywhere else!

Thanks. They're a good club and have given me a good budget to work with so I'm pleased to be at the club. Since I loaded up Bulgaria I believe they've always been the "B" Group iirc and they certainly look good for a promotion push but I am refusing to get carried away as it could seriously backfire and I could be sacked.


Cheers fella. It's an excellent budget for a second tier team in Bulgarian football. Really hope I can gain promotion this season so I could head to Croatia.

I've loaded up Croatia already and will become active in I think June so it's important I depart Bulgaria this summer.

With the new season upon us this post will have all the signings that I've made as I've been in the transfer market ahead of my first managerial job in the Bulgarian "B" Group, the club had already made two signings in the summer but I won't post them as I didn't sign them. We also played six games in pre season.


The first signing I made at the club was Kulikov who is a twenty-year-old Estonian central midfielder who has arrived on a free transfer. Kulikov has twelve caps for the Estonia senior team and has scored once, he was released from Levadia in the summer.

Our second signing saw Dimov arrive from Chavdar (Etropole) for a fee of one hundred and forty thousand pound, the eighteen-year-old central defender has made forty six career appearances to date and has scored twice. He's expected to be back-up but could be a starter if circumstances change.

Since the club didn't have any at the club, I had to ensure that signing a left back was a priority this summer and Lazarov, a twenty-eight-year-old left back has joined the club from Vidima-Rakovski for sixty thousand and then left winger Kovachev became the second player to arrive from Vidima-Rakovski for thirty thousand and will be first choice as my other left winger, who will be released in due course, is muck.

I then secured a second left back on the books with Ganchev arriving on a season long loan deal from "A" Group side Beroe. I've added another central midfielder to my ranks as Blagojevic arrives from Spartak ZV for twenty six thousand pound and then Nenchev arrived at the club from my former club Levski Sofia - the twenty-three-year-old central defender has cost thirty thousand and will definitely be first choice this season.

Our penultimate summer signing has seen a new striker join the club - Charles has cost us two hundred thousand pound to capture him from Brazilian club Vasco da Gama and he'll be my first and whether he scored goals for the club remains to be seen.

My final piece of business this summer has saw me sign a new attacking midfielder, twenty-six-year-old Ganev has joined from Lokomotiv (Sofia) for a cut price of sixteen thousand pounds as he was placed on the transfer list and he'll definitely be first choice as he's talented.


Pre season was mixed as I faced six games - two draws, one defeat and three wins.

We started with a game against fellow "B" Group side Botev (Vratsa) and no, I don't know why it was arranged but we drew three all as Yanachkov, Atanasov and Kolev scored our goals but then we suffered defeat at home to Radnicki, a two nil defeat that saw Marjanovic and Mandic score for the visitors. Our next game saw us drew nil each with Wisla.

I arranged two more games against "smaller" clubs to try and gain confidence and they were against Rasovo and Karnobat. We beat Rasovo three nil with Atanasov (2) and Kolev on target and then we defeated Karnobat five two with Kulikov, Nendnev, Vladimirov, Garrincha and Kovachev on target while Katarov and Angelov scored for the home side.

Pre season concluded with a straight forward three nil win over Botev (Krivodol) as Kulikov, Smederevac and Alyoshev scored.

Good preseason and good signings. Left backs are also my problem in this FM. In RL there are also not so many leftbacks I guess.

almost beat bulgaria now! well done on your current success

Trying to find talented left backs was quite hard and I can't believe the club didn't have any out-and-out left backs at the club before I arrived. I'm pleased with the signings I've made and I'm sure they will help me have a successful season, whether I can gain promotion or not to the "A" Group remains to be seen as we're only the fourth best team in the league.


One more trophy to go and I can't wait until it's wrapped up.

Our "B" Group league season kicked off in August with three league games against Akademik (Svishtov), Svetkavitsa and recently relegated Vidima-Rakovski as we looked to kick off the season in style as I hope for a successful league season as I attempt to get this club promoted to play amongst Bulgaria's elite teams.


We started the season on the road as we made the trip to Akademik (Svishtov) as I gave several of the summer signings their debut in this game and one I signed had a smashing debut as he smashed home four goals in a four one away win against team who are expected to struggle this season. Estonian midfielder Kulikov broke the deadlock on twenty eight minutes before his second but they pulled a goal back before Kulikov completed his hat trick on seventy four minutes and his fourth and our fourth was scored with ten minutes left.

I then was unveiled to the clubs supporters before my first home game in charge of the club as Svetkavitsa visited and I ensured we started our home league fixtures with three points as we won two nil as Brazilian winger Garrincha struck in the twelfth and fifty seventh minute to seal the points.

And the opening month came to an end with our toughest game to date as we travelled to recently relegated Vidima-Rakovski and we defeated them two nil against the team who finished the game with ten men. The home side were indeed reduced to ten men as Gudzhev was shown a straight red card for a professional four and then Charles stepped up to convert the penalty for his first goal for the club and then Garrincha scored his third goal in two games to wrap up the points.


With the opening month behind us we have ensured an unbeaten start after our first three games and we're level on points with Sliven 2000. I can't get carried away though as we've only played the three league games and their is still a lot of football to be played and I could still be considered a failure this season but I hope I'm not.


On transfer deadline day I've added three more players to the squad.

Bosnian Husic has arrived on a free transfer following his release from Travnik were he made one hundred and thirty career appearances and scored the three times. The twenty-two-year-old is a right winger who will be rotated with Garrincha this season.

Chernomorets (Burgas) twenty-two-year-old central defender Zakov came to the club for fifty thousand and he'll be first choice. The signing was captured because I let Mustur depart the club as the thirty-two-year-old central defender completed his thirty five thousand switch to Ludogorets (Razgrad)

The final signing of the transfer window saw striker Stoychev arrive from "A" Group side Levski (Sofia) after he turned down the chance to join Litex - twenty-three-year-old Stoychev joined for sixteen thousand as he was transfer listed.

A perfect start as expected buddy! keep it up!

Great start of the season with lots of goals. Good luck and go for the promotion!

I'm surprised at the start I've made - remember I signed quite a few new players so I'm surprised they've gelled quickly.


Cheers mate. I feel I've built a good team, especially quickly. Promotion is the aim and whether that happens or not still remains to be seen but it's been a solid start to the campaign.

On the back of an unbeaten month as life with Montana started with a bang, we entered September high on confidence as we looked to extend our unbeaten start to the season but unfortunately that didn't happen as we suffered our first set back with an undeserved home defeat.


September couldn't have started with a much tougher game as we hosted "B" Group favourites Minyor (Pernik) and we picked up a sensational two nil win as Kovachev broke the deadlock on thirty nine minutes before the lead was doubled in the forty seventh minute when attacking midfielder Ganev converted a penalty.

Our first away game of the month saw us travel to Benkovski (Byala) and overturned them with another two nil win but what was supposed to be a straight forward game turned into a struggle as we had to wait until the thirty ninth minute to break the deadlock as deadline day signing Stoychev opened the scoring and the points were secured with two minutes remaining as Ganev scored his second penalty in consecutive games.

We then faced Kaliakra at home to conclude the month and we suffered our first league set back as we were shocked two one in a match that we didn't deserve to lose as we were the better side throughout and following a scoreless first forty five minutes we took the lead four minutes after the restart as Kazakov scored but the visitors scored twice in the final ten men with Kraev and Bakalski scoring and despite them being reduced to ten men with a few minutes left we were unable to score an equaliser.


That set back against Kaliakra didn't hurt us too much as we've ended the month still top of the table with now six league games played and we've scored thirteen times and conceded just the three so far. Kaliakra are up to second following their win against me while league favourites Minyor (Pernik) are down in tenth but it's still early days.

Fine form continues, whilst you ay have lost your still top!

I can't afford many more slip ups (unless the other team(s) slip up too) if I plan on getting the team promoted at the first time of asking.

While I suffered my first league defeat since arriving at Montana with September ending it was important we immediately bounced back in October as we had four games to play - three in the league and the Bulgarian Cup first round tie against Benkovski (Byala) as I look to win the trophy for the second consecutive season.


My third league month at the helm started on the road with a trip to Nesebar as we looked to bounce back from the disappointing defeat at the hands of Kaliakra and we did with a two nil win on the road. For the second game running we were unable to find a way through in the opening half and had to wait until the fifty sixth minute as Ganev broke the deadlock from the spot before Estonian midfielder Kulikov sealed the win on seventy two minutes.

Our first game in the Bulgarian Cup first round drew us with fellow "B" Group side Benkovski (Byala) and we hammered them five nil as Brazilian striker Charles scored a first half hat trick with goals on twenty five, twenty nine and forty five minutes and yet their was still time for Garrincha to make it four nil before half time as we struck in first half stoppage time. Only one more goal followed in the second half and that was through Kovachev who made it five as we eased to the second round.

We returned to league action with a home game against Sliven 2000 and we defeated them four two despite us going behind on ten minutes through Petrov's goal. We were able to turn the game around as Charles and Garrincha struck within sixty seconds of each other but they equalised on seventy five minutes but goals from Charles who hit his second and Kovachev sealed three points.

And the month came to an end with a trip to Etar 1924 and we picked up back to back four two victories with Kovachev getting us to a dream start after only three minutes but the home side levelled proceedings on seventeen minutes but we regained the lead on thirty eight minutes through Ganev. Second half goals from Kulikov and Garrincha gave us a four two lead before Gavazov pulled a second Etar goal back with eight minutes left.


We've opened up a three point gap at the top of the table at the end of October and things are looking good as we're scoring goals at will so far (twenty three goals in nine league games to date) while Kaliakra are still in second place and Dobrudzha and Botev (Vratsa) are third and four respectively with only goal difference separating them.

I would love that three point gap to get bigger in the final two months before the year ends.

As I said, you will win the B league with ease and already showing that!

Shush. We can still balls it up as we're only three points clear. I refuse to get carried away.

We entered the penultimate month of league fixtures before the winter break on the back of an unbeaten October month that saw us win our three league games. November saw us play six games - four on the "B" Group and a Bulgarian Cup second round first and second leg ties and we remained unbeaten throughout.


Our first game of the month saw us host bottom of the table Strumska slava and we hammered them six nil. Goals from Ganev, Dimov, Kolev, Kulikov and Kozokov had us five goals to nil up at half time against the strugglers and just one more goal followed in the second period through Ganev's second of the game.

A trip to Chavdar (Etropole) was up next and we defeated them two nil with two goals inside the quarter hour, Husic opened the scoring after eleven minutes and the lead was doubled sixty seconds later as Charles scored and that was the end of the scoring.

We then had the Bulgarian Cup second round first leg affair against fellow "B" Group side Vidima-Rakovski and we could only draw as we had to come from behind to earn a draw with Charles' thirty seventh minute goal cancelling out Ginchev's opener for Vidima-Rakovski.

The return leg in Montana was just as difficult but we managed to defeat them two one to progress three two on aggregate as Dimov gave the visitors the lead for the second time in this two legged tie but Garrincha equalised on thirty five minutes and we won the tie on the night and progressed to the next round as the Brazilian winger struck in second half stoppage time. "A" Group side Cherno more is up next in the third round.

We returned to league action with a home game against Botev (Galabova) and for the third game in all competitions we were forced to come from behind with Baev striking for the visiting side on forty seven minutes but we struck twice in the second half through Kulikov and Garrincha to pick us up three points.

And the month concluded with another league victory as we made the trip to Botev (Vratsa) and left with a three one win as we fell behind once again with Stanev striking on sixty seven minutes but we equalised a minute later through Kulikov before the returning Stoychev turned the game around and then Garrincha won us the game with ten minutes left.


With the final set of league fixtures finished as we are now heading into the winter break, we have a six point lead at the top of the table following an unbeaten "B" Group league month and to date we've scored thirty six goals in thirteen games and that's quite a record so far and long may it continue.