Stoilov to stand in for Bulgaria

PFC Levski Sofia coach Stanimir Stoilov has taken temporary charge of Bulgaria for their two UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers against Belarus in June.

Stoichkov departure
The 40-year-old succeeds Hristo Stoichkov, who left the national coach's post a fortnight ago to take the reins at RC Celta de Vigo in Spain. Stoilov will continue to work at Levski, the club he has guided to the brink of retaining their title this season as well as into the UEFA Champions League group stage - a first for Bulgaria. After the matches first away and then at home to Belarus on 2 and 6 June, Bulgarian Football Union president Borislav Mihailov will seek to appoint a full-time foreign coach.

Penev position
Stoilov played 14 times for his country, scoring three goals, in the early 90s. He will be helped in his new role by Dimitar Penev, who guided the national team to the 1994 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, and has been appointed as sporting manager. In UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying, Bulgaria are third in Group G, five points behind the Netherlands with a game in hand.