CSKA Sofia name Romanian Andone as new coach

Romanian Ioan Andone was on Sunday named new coach of Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia, which last week sacked Lyuboslav Penev.

The 49-year-old Andone, who has previously coached a range of Romanian teams as well as Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq and Dubai’s Al-Ahli, signed an 18-month contract with CSKA.

CSKA sacked Penev in the wake of a series of squabbles over his players’ poor discipline and performance in the recent months.

According to 7 Days Sport newspaper Penev had refused to have his salary significantly cut and receive the rest of his money if CSKA manages to win the Bulgarian league title.

CSKA entered the winter break in second spot in the league, four points behind leaders Litex Lovech.

“I am aware of the goals of the team, I am aware of the responsibility and I am ready to fulfil these goals,” Andone was cited by state BTA news agency as saying Sunday.

In turn, CSKA president Dimitar Borisov told BTA that the club offered Andone a monthly salary of 25,000 euros.

The club, which had moved to sign Serbian coach Miodrag Jesic, who had been at CSKA’s helm between 2004 to 2006, was forced to hunt for another substitute after Jesic failed to break his current contract with Libyan club Al-Ittihad.