Markov ends Bulgaria reign
Thursday, July 1, 2004
Article summary
Bulgaria coach Plamen Markov has left his position after the country's early exit from UEFA EURO 2004™.
Article body
Best wishes
The Bulgarian Football Union (BFS) had offered Markov a two-year contract extension, but the 46-year-old has decided to stand down having reached the end of his current deal. "I talked about the proposal with BFS president Ivan Slavkov, but I have decided to reject the offer. I wish all the best to the team. There are a lot of young and talented players and I am sure they will have further success."
Three defeats
Markov, a former PFC CSKA Sofia midfield player, took charge of the national team in December 2001 and led them to qualification for this summer's finals in Portugal. However, Bulgaria failed to progess beyond the group stage following defeats by Sweden, Denmark and Italy.