ACTUAL TREND
The Bulgarian national team was entrusted to him in 2004 after the resignation of Plamen Markov, who showed a nasty result at the Portuguese European Championship. At that time, Stoichkov’s coaching experience was limited to short-term work in one of the youth teams of Barcelona. However, this did not bother the leadership of the Bulgarian Football Union (BFS) at all. His decision was quite consistent with the current trend of that summer - the famous players in the recent past who had minimal coaching experience received the posts of mentors of the strongest European teams. For example, Marco van Basten and Jürgen Klinsmann. Following the example of Dutch and German colleagues, BFS President Borislav Mikhailov set Stoichkov to good results.
But pretty soon he became disappointed in his venture ...
At first, Hristo enchanted employers with an enviable unpretentiousness. Knowing the modest financial situation of his native federation, Stoichkov did not demand exclusive contractual amounts, but set the four-year term of the agreement as the only condition. Of course, it was soon signed.
The inauguration of the 38-year-old mentor took place amid public rejoicing. The appointed trainer regularly reminded of the long term of the contract, radiated ambitions and optimism. The coming of Hristo aroused hope in the hearts of Bulgarian fans for an early remake of the triumphal World Cup-94, where the team led by Stoichkov climbed to the historic 4th place for her.
NOT A DAY WITHOUT SCANDAL
However, shooting this very remake did not go right away. A successful confirmation of the seriousness of the plans could be a successful performance at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. But the Bulgarian team did not even make it there.
Wild temper was the brightest component of the image of Christo throughout his brilliant gaming career. And he did not want to pacify him, putting on a strict suit and tie. Not a day without scandal - this dubious motto Stoichkov took with him to the coaching path.
An excellent microclimate - this is certainly not about his team. Leading players, one after another, refused to play for the main team, explaining this by insurmountable differences with Christo. The apotheosis of the leadership outcome was the demarche of Stilyan Petrov in October last year. “I do not want to play under his command. I made this decision on the basis of many events that have occurred since Stoichkov headed the team, ”the Aston Villa midfielder explained the decision to suspend his international career.
Christo was an indifferent attitude towards refuseniks. With pretense of ease, parting with the leading players, he stubbornly lobbied for the participation in the national team of foreign players playing in the championship of Bulgaria: for example, the Frenchman Kaye and the Brazilian Thiago Silva. Perhaps such a policy would have found understanding in the Bulgarian football environment, provided there was a visible improvement in the results. But I only had to dream about it.
Against such a background, the March ultimatum presented by Borislav Mikhailov to Stoichkov seemed quite logical. The fact is that a foul zero draw with the Albanians brought the Bulgarians to a situation where any lost point in the remaining meetings actually deprives them of a chance to leave the group. Two June matches with Belarusians could just clarify Hristo’s prospects as national team coach. However, he did not wait for them and on April 11 announced his resignation.
TRUE MOTIV
Sensationally accepting the “Celta” from Vigo, desperately fighting for survival in the example, Hristo motivated this with the desire to take some decisive step in the career of a coach. According to him, the opportunity to once again plunge into Spanish football and everyday work with football players will have a beneficial effect on his fate.
However, at home, Stoichkov’s decision was by no means reverent. The leitmotif of the ratings of Bulgarian football analysts is extremely simple: Hristo abandoned an unsuccessful business, not wanting to spoil his reputation at the start of his career.
This is quite drawn to the truth. Moreover, he does not discord with the actions of the Stoichkov player. He is used to always and everywhere to achieve the maximum and does not want to put up with the role of a loser. In this sense, the beginning of the Galician period is probably perceived by Christ as a transitional one. If he succeeds in pulling the Celta out of the quagmire, then it is likely that his surname more insistently appears in the list of potential successors of Frank Rykard in Barcelona. Stoichkov is a careerist and does not hide this. It is reasonable to assume that it was the desire to head the Barça that was the true motive that prompted Christo without hesitation to agree to the offer to work in Spain.
The Catalan public is still crazy about him. From the age of six, Hristo was passionately sick precisely for Barca, and at 26, as part of his favorite club, he became the owner of the Champions Cup.
Ruthless to the enemies of Barca - such a characteristic will probably be found in his resume. Particularly sophisticated Stoichkov rode in his time along Michael Laudrup and Luis Figo, who replaced Barca with Real Madrid: “Who is Laudrup? I don't know any Laudrup! I do not communicate with traitors, I spit in their faces! I hate him! ”In the case of the Portuguese, Hristo completely anticipated the events that happened in the first match against Figo“ Barca ”:“ If you are a pig, do not be surprised when the pig’s heads fly at you. ”
So far, the coaching achievements of Stoichkov in the example are reduced to victory in the debut derby with Depor. Watching his Spanish career promises a lot of intriguing. After all, having left the national team for the sinking of Celta, Stoichkov did not save his reputation at all - he actually put it on the line. And in case of failure, it will almost certainly disappear from the civilized coaching community. Success will open before him the door to past fame and glory.