Home is where Ivanov's heart is

By Stoyan Georgiev

It is a case of no place like home for Georgi Ivanov after he brought to an end a difficult year in France and returned to the club where he made his name, PFC Levski Sofia. Things had not gone as planned following his move to Stade Rennais FC, and he will doubtless want to put those memories behind him, something the familiar surroundings at Levski should facilitate.

Key role
In the summer of 2002, then Bulgarian champions Levski decided to sell their star striker. In six years at the Georgi Asparuhov stadium, Ivanov had become something of a cult figure with the fans, garnering much adulation for his on-pitch heroics and becoming a crucial part of Levski's success.

Title triumphs
Ivanov was instrumental as the club sealed three consecutive championships between 2000 and 2002, and was twice voted Bulgarian player of the year. His decisive goals against rivals PFC CSKA Sofia further endeared him to the fans and raised his profile even higher.

Rennes transfer
Last summer it had all looked rosy for Ivanov. He left Levski and Bulgaria with another title victory and was widely considered the best player in the domestic league. His €4.2m transfer to Rennes was considered a sound career move after he had been linked with a host of top European clubs.

Out of luck
Yet the move to France soon turned sour. He missed several games through injury as his new club began the season poorly, and his bad luck was compounded by a change of coach as Vahid Halilhodzic took over and relegated Ivanov to the sidelines.

Inevitable outcome
It became inevitable that the 27-year-old forward would have to leave the club, and a return to Levski became the only logical option. Indeed, the player had promised as much on leaving the club 12 months previously, saying: "If I return to Bulgaria, I will play only for Levski."

Overseas failures
Ivanov becomes the latest in a line of Levski players who, having shone for the club, have been unable to reproduce their sparkling form abroad. Nasko Sirakov and Bozhidar Iskrenov are just two whose overseas adventures failed to match up to expectations, although it does not always work out so: one recent success abroad was Marian Hristov, who helped 1.FC Kaiserslautern claim the Bundesliga in 1997/98.

Successful return
His disappointment abroad may work in Ivanov's favour on his return to Levski, if Sirakov and Iskrenov, both of whom enjoyed successful second spells at the club, are any guide. It has started promisingly for Ivanov, as he has scored three times in two games so far.

Significant loss
Without him Levski struggled last season as rivals CSKA claimed their first title since 1997. Levski lacked Ivanov's winning mentality and his ability to inspire fear in an opposition defence. Furthermore, in his first spell at Levski, Ivanov could be counted on in the big games, with his scoring record against CSKA and in European games particularly impressive. He emphasised this by scoring twice in Levski's 4-1 win away to FK Atyrau in the UEFA Cup qualifying round last week.

Attendance boost
However, he does not just provides a welcome boost for the club on the pitch. His home debut was watched by more than 10,000 fans, significantly higher than last season's attendances.

International prospects
The move will also benefit Ivanov, who is seeking to resurrect a stalled international career and help Bulgaria to qualify for UEFA EURO 2004™. Both sides will be hoping Ivanov's return proves to be mutually beneficial.