Stoilov named as new Bulgaria coach

Litex Lovech coach Stanimir Stoilov was on Friday handed the job of trying to guide struggling Bulgaria into the 2010 World Cup finals.

Stoilov succeeds Plamen Markov who was sacked in December after the team’s disappointing start to their World Cup qualifying campaign which has seen them draw their opening three Group Eight games.

They are currently seven points behind leaders, and reigning world champions, Italy, and four off second-placed Ireland.

The 41-year-old Stoilov, who is likely to remain in charge of his club side, briefly coached the national team in 2007 after the resignation of Bulgaria’s 1994 World Cup star striker Hristo Stoichkov.