Mladenov bows out at CSKA

Stoytcho Mladenov has resigned as coach of PFC CSKA Sofia after their elimination from the UEFA Cup.

European disappointment
The 46-year-old former Bulgarian national team coach handed in his resignation the day after his side were knocked out of the competition by FC Torpedo Moskva. CSKA president Vasil Bozhkov accepted Mladenov's resignation, insisting he could not keep the coach on against his will.

Unfulfilled promise
Mladenov led CSKA to the Bulgarian title last season but failed to match the high expectations of the team this term, despite big summer spending on Brazilian stars Leo Lima and Rodrigo Souza. CSKA are second in the Bulgarian league, trailing leaders PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv by three points.

Galatasaray defeat
The team have also suffered a very disappointing European campaign as they were eliminated by Galatasaray SK in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round and then by Torpedo in the first round of the UEFA Cup. Mladenov said he would take a one-month break and then return to the club in a new role.

Temporary solution
In his stead, the 39-year old Aleksander Stankov, who previously took charge of CSKA for brief spells in 2000 and 2001, will take charge. Stankov, who is likely to be a temporary solution, has also coached PFC Cherno More Varna and was a specialist coach at FC Bayern München in the autumn of 2002. CSKA captain Georgi Antonov will be one his assistants.