Shedender - Comments

When I arrived in Croatia I set my sights on getting back into management as soon as possible and when I landed their was two vacancies available - they were Crikvenica and Slavija Pleternica who are both semi-professional clubs looking to avoid the dreaded drop.



Slavija Pleternica, who are predicted to come rock bottom of the Second League have stated to the press that they're flattered by my interest and rightly so as I've had a successful career to date with spells at Altach, Zhlobin, Torpedo, Namur, Anderlecht, Levski and most recently Montana. Who wouldn't want to employ me?


The semi-professional side who are expected to struggle this season have offered me the opportunity to take the reigns and have backed me with a four year deal that will see me earn seven hundred and twenty five pound per week throughout my duration at the club. The club only have one expectation this season and that's to stay clear of relegation - can it happen? It's going to be difficult but I vow not to quit on this job.


I've agreed to take over the club and now I'm no longer unemployed. I was announced to the public at a morning press conference and I'm "itching at the bit" to get started. It's a four year deal but at the moment I'm not sure I will see out my entire contract at the club but time will tell. I've been successful at any club I've been too bar one and I don't know how I'll do at the this club.

The first thing I had to go was employ some staff - I didn't even have any backroom staff.


And this is the major reason why I want to be a success this season.

It's their one hundredth birthday this year, founded in nineteen twenty-six. The chairman has urged me to do EVERYTHING possible to ensure that the club move gracefully into their second century of football but I've already stated that's going to be a challenge.

One problem I've noticed is that I'm going to have to sign an absolute ton of players because quite frankly this squad is absolute rubbish bar one or two players so I'm going to have to sign better players for the positions and then I'll have to be patient and hope they gel quickly.

I'm a few years behind you now mate. You're in 2030 or something iirc and I'm only in 2026. You knew I'd win the title? I guess you also knew that I would have tried my best to f**k it up? Glad we got over that finishing line. Croatia awaits.


And yet, I so nearly made a balls near the end.

Our final month of the season was upon us and it was a month that would determine my future - if we wrapped up the "B" Group then I would be Croatia bound but if we mess up the league then I'd be stuck in Bulgarian football for another full season. We had six games to finish the campaign.


The final month of the season started with a home game against Botev (Vratsa) and we picked up a crucial two one victory as Stoychev broke the deadlock on thirteen minutes but a lapse in concentration let the visiting side equalise on thirty four minutes but we won the game on seventy seven minutes thanks to Russian winger Minaev.

We made the trip to Lyubimets (Lyubimets) looking for revenge following their league victory over us on our own turf and we did get revenge as we had to come from behind to win four one with all our goals arriving in the final twenty minutes. The home side had a half time lead with Manolov scoring but what happened in the final twenty minutes was remarkable - we equalised through Kulikov after he nipped in and then Minaev scored twice inside the final ten minutes (eighty and eighty six) before Blagojevic added a fourth in stoppage time.

We headed home to face Dobrudzha and only managed to beat them one nil with Husic guiding the ball home after sixty eight minutes.

A trip to Neftohimik was next and could only manage to pick up a disappointing draw with Minaev levelling the scores on thirty nine minutes, cancelling out their opening goal that was scored by Joksic. It was a very disappointing result at a time were we can't afford slip ups. It didn't make a difference though. Promotion was sealed and I would be heading to Bulgaria but I wanted the league title.

Our game in hand was up next as we made the trip to Sliven 2000 and slipped to an unacceptable two nil defeat as the players have decided to be spineless at the wrong time of the season. Chochev and Petrov scored for the home side in either half.

But our final game of the season was one to celebrate. We faced Spartak (Pleven) at home knowing that at least a point would secure the league title and it didn't matter what happened elsewhere but we wrapped up the "B" Group title in style following a three one win as Husic, Stoychev and Milanovic scored in the first half - Spartak pulled a goal back late on but it wasn't going to spoil our celebrations.


Proof that following the three one win over Spartak (Pleven) we've won the league in front of a crowd just shy of three and a half thousand fans.


Done and dusted!

Champions. Who would have thought it was possible when we kept slipping up and suffering disappointing setbacks? I certainly thought we were going to mess it up after we slipped up against Neftohimik and Sliven 2000 but I'm just absolutely delighted to have got over the finishing line. Kaliakra had to settle for a play-off spot. I can now look forward to the future and that will be in Croatia.


...and I've resigned. Their wasn't any point me staying on following the "B" Group success but the only thing I'm a little disappointed with was that it was taken down to the final day and I hadn't the league signed, sealed and delivered - but I suppose that adds to the excitement, doesn't it?

The penultimate month of the twenty twenty-five/twenty twenty-six campaign saw us face seven games all in the league as I hoped to remain in the title picture because I would love to wrap up Bulgaria this season. It was a successful month that saw us remain ahead in the race going into the final month.


We started with a home game versus Benkovski (Byala) and we defeated them three nil as winger Milanovic broke the deadlock after ten minutes and then Dimov scored a second goal four minutes later and then the points were secured when Milanovic scored his second and our third on thirty one minutes.

We then made the trip to fellow league challengers Kaliakra and could only to manage a draw as Stoychev cancelled out their opener that was scored by Bakalski on forty eight minutes.

Our third game of the month saw us play Nesebar at home and they were defeated three one despite the away side taking the lead on twenty eight minutes through Alexsandrov but we equalised within sixty seconds courtesy of Estonian central midfielder Kulikov and then Stoychev put us into the third on sixty two minutes and the points were secured as Zakov headed home goal three with twelve minutes left.

Etar 1924 came to our home ground for our second home game in succession and we also picked up our second straight three one win as goals from Milanovic and Ataliba had us two goals up at half time before striker Stoychev made it three nil on the hour but they scored a consolation goal two minutes later through Dunga.

Bottom of the table Strumska slava was up next and we put another nail into the relegation coffin thanks to a four one win on the road as Stoychev scored on nineteen and twenty five minutes to have us two goals up before Zakov added a third late in the first half and then Ganev made it four on sixty four - the bottom side scored a consolation goal with two minutes left.

A home game against Chavdar (Etropole) saw us play our penultimate game of the month and the points were shared in a one all draw. Estonian midfielder Kulikov opened the scoring for ourselves on twenty minutes but were pegged back in the seventy second minute as Rangelov equalised and it could have been a lot worse as they missed a spot kick.

The month came to an end with a trip to Botev (Galabovo) and we defeated them four one with Stoychev opening the scoring on nine minutes and then an own goal through Mitkov doubled the lead and that's how it remained until the seventy second minute because the home half halved the deficit but goals from Minaev and Milanovic sealed the points.


We're holding onto top spot.

Come the end of April and we're still top of the table but now we're only a point clear of Kaliakra who are in second place but we have a game in hand against Sliven 2000 but it's away from home and it'll be tough. We have six games and those six games will determine whether we remain in Bulgaria for another season or head to Croatia.

Painful. Seven clubs who you probably haven't even heard of in your life have laughed at your interest. Remember that for future reference, when they want you to become their manager in the future (if it happens) then you laugh at them in return...

I'm sure you'll find a club soon.

Thanks pal, those two shocking defeats have knocked the confidence back but I definitely hope it's not permanent and we can return to winning ways as soon as possible.

Couldn't believe those last two results, the team have forgot how to score and defend. It was so embarrassing, it was like watching an old Dan team.

It's definitely important that we bounce back and the team actually remember how to score goals. I've actually had to have an assertive team meeting to let the players know not to f**k up what could turn out to be a quality season, thankfully no players reacted badly and every player reacted well so I hope for a better April and I think that's a long month, and so is May.

We started the second half of the season with a disappointing home defeat at the hands of Lyubimets (Lyubimets) and it's important we get our league season back on track as March see's us face seven games that will be in the league as we look to gain promotion and me to wrap up Bulgaria.


The month started with an away game against Dobrudzha 1919 and we could only pick up a point as we squandered the lead that was given to us my striker Stoychev on nine minutes but the home side equalised on nineteen minutes through Yulianov before Tsanovski gave Dobrudzha the lead on fifty six minutes but Minaev's first goal for the club rescued a point on seventy seven minutes.

We then played Neftohimik 1962 at home and edged a five goal thriller against the mid-table side as Stoychev broke the deadlock for us for the second game running on six minutes but for the second game running we lost the lead as goals in either half from Simeonov and Chilingirov turned the game around before Minaev scored on sixty eight minutes to draw the scores level before Ganev won us the game on ninety minutes.

Our next game was away to Spartak (Pleven) and we picked up a three one win with Estonian midfielder Kulikov opening the scoring on five minutes but the normal resumed as yet again we lost the lead as Rudashki levelled but second half goals from Stoychev saw us pick up much needed back to back wins.

We hosted strugglers Akademik (Svishtov) and defeated them three nil with Kovachev broke the deadlock on ten minutes before Ataliba doubled the lead on twenty six minutes before his double, in second half stoppage time sealed an impressive three goal win.

A trip to Svetkavitsa was next and we picked up another three points with Ataliba and Ganev striking in either half.

Our penultimate game of the month was a home clash with Vidima-Rakovski in a game that saw us "booed off" and rightly so as we suffered a humiliating five nil defeat with all the goals arriving in the first half. Kepov, Baldzhiyski hat trick and Jankovic ensured they humiliated us on our own turf - I was furious after the game and rightly so, couldn't believe what I was witnessing in that first half.

And the month ended with another humiliating defeat away to Minyor (Pernik) as they defeated us five on with all the goals coming in the second half as Babic broke the deadlock on forty nine minutes and then Voynov doubled the lead but Stoychev's goal turned out just to be a consolation as goals on seventy nine and eighty minutes from Voynov that completed his hat trick and Palanski on eighty one ensured back to back disastrous defeats - second game in succession that had be furious, horrible last two games in the month.


How the frig are we still top of the table? Despite those two humiliating defeats that saw us concede ten times and scoring just the once we are still a point clear at the top of the table and it's important that the form turns around and quickly or this campaign could turn into one to forget despite being top for so long.

Shame we started the second part of the season with a disappointing home reversal, we need to bounce back and quickly.

Competitive football resumed with just the one league match in February as we hosted Lyubimets (Lyubimets) in our only fixture as the second half of the season started with us looking to seal promotion to the Bulgarian "A" Group as soon as possible and it looked good before the winter break.


So we just had the one league game to deal with in February as we returned from the winter break. We hosted Lyubimets (Lyubimets) and they shocked us and our support with a three one win at our home venue. A misjudge from on-loan Popov saw the away side take the lead but when Stoychev equalised on sixty six minutes it seemed normal service resumed, but it wasn't as Monolov put the away side back in front before Haralaov sealed the shock win with nine minutes left.


That slip us hasn't hurt us too much as we're still four points clear at the summit of the Bulgarian "B" Group table and ahead of Vidima-Rakovski.

With our league being in a winter break and us having no competitive game until the end of February I found it important to arrange some mid-season friendly games (even if no one else did find it important) and I arranged seven games as we faced four "A" Group teams at home as Levski, Litex, Pirin (Gotse Delchev) and Beroe visited while I also arranged trips to Elegant, Goloya (Lozarevo) and Urvich - I also brought in six new players as I a) looked for better quality to ensure the club got promoted and b) get a bit better squad depth in case of injuries/suspensions.


I captured Pavlov a few months ago as he agreed to join the club after the summer transfer window slammed shut, the seventeen-year-old right back has arrived and he's expected to be back-up this season.

Our second winter signing was Minaev who has arrived on a free transfer. Twenty-year-old Minaev who is Russian arrived at the club following his release from Dinamo Moscow. He's arrived at the club due to me releasing Garrincha. The twenty-one-year-old Brazilian was out of contract in the summer and I wasn't able to offer him a new deal for some reason and he was also on staggering wages of near a grand - perfect time to release him.

I've brought in a new midfielder this window as Ataliba has jet in from Lokomotiv (Plovdiv) and has cost me one hundred and ten thousand pounds, at the age of twenty-one the midfielder could have a big future at either this club or football in general should be develop well.

One more central midfielder has arrived, due to the lack of them currently at the club I found this important. Twenty-year-old Serb Salipurovic has arrived from Vojvodina and has cost sixty thousand pound. One more striker has also joined the club, Bosnian Andjelkovic has cost only five thousand from Boras (BL) and will only be back-up this season and our final signing has seen Micic come from Smederevo for one hundred and thirty thousand, he's another right back who should replace our ageing one.

Three players were released from the club in the summer. Garrincha, as you know along wiith Kazakov and Ilchev.


I arranged seven friendly games throughout the winter break.

We started against my former club Levski who last time I checked has been struggling in the "A" Group this season and I defeated them two one, they took the lead but goals from Danchev and Tintor in the final minutes sealed the win before Litex defeated us in my second game one nil and then Pirin drew two all with our seconds with us scoring in the second half through Ganev pen and Danchev and then our final game against "A" Group teams was against Beroe and we beat them two nil with Stoychev and Tintor scoring.

And the friendlies ended with three away games against lesser teams to try and gain confident. Elegant were beat three one with Dimov, Stoychev and Minaev scoring before we hammered Goloya (Lozarevo) four nil as Stoychev, Kulikov, Ganev and Charles scored for us and the friendly games finished with a four two away success against Urvich - Dimov, Ganev, Husic and Stoychev scored.

It's been a good run but it's important that we don't slip up. The last couple of league games we've not been at our best and have been scraping through. Thankfully the cup wasn't needed due to winning it last season but I was still gutted to lose to an "A" Group side on away goals, especially when they struck on 90 minutes.


I can't afford to get carried away as their still a load of football that needs to be played in the second part of the season. Promotion is looking good but we need to keep the wins coming.


...and now watch me throw it away.


It's been a great first half to the season, top of the table and six points clear. Will it last? I suppose only time will tell.

Well done on winning the league and then going on to win the Super Cup too to conclude Czech Republic. Good luck in Denmark pal, no doubt you'll land the Copenhagen job.

With the final month of twenty twenty-five upon us, we had just the two Bulgarian Cup third round games against "A" Group team Cherno more and we have already suffered one major set back with this cup tie - we will be without our first choice goalkeeper due to him being ineligible, he's on-loan from the top flight club.


The third round first leg Bulgarian Cup tie against Cherno more saw us pick up a remarkable victory as we defeated them three two at home as Milanovic put us into the lead inside the opening minute but Kisel equalised for the top flight club on nineteen minutes before we regained the lead a minute later through Stoychev. "A" Group Cherno more equalised for the second time with five minutes left but we pinched the edge going into the second leg with Kolev scoring with the game entering stoppage time.

We headed into the second leg looking to defend our three two lead and hoping to advance to the fourth round but despite a brilliant defensive display it wasn't to be as Cherno more won the game through Kisel who struck in the ninetieth minute to ensure that the "A" Group side advanced on away goals much to our heartbreak - I'm absolutely gutted that we're knocked out but at least the cup isn't a priority anymore but still tragic to crash out in the ninetieth minute.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

I'm very surprised to see Viktoria Plzen down that low, didn't they win the league just last season? You're doing incredably well and still in the hunt for the league title. KIU mate, you're very close to making off another trophy in the Czech Republic.

The only thing you're unable to use is skins, everything else should work fine.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

See, I said that you wouldn't win the league.

I suppose you're happy with the third place finish and cup success and rightly so but it's a shame you couldn't win the Czech Super Cup this season but I'm sure Plzen were clearly the better side?

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.

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.