17.12.2014 16:28 h

Bulgaria name new national coach

Bulgaria named Ivaylo Petev as its national football coach on Wednesday following the sacking of his predecessor over poor Euro 2016 qualifying results.

The Bulgarian Football Union president Borislav Mihaylov said Petev, a former manager of Ludogorets and Levski Sofia, had been offered a three-year contract starting January 1.

Petev was previously at the helm as Ludogorets Razgrad became only the second Bulgarian team to reach the Champions League's group stage. And had won promotion and two top-flight titles in 2012 and 2013 with them prior to that.

He later coached Levski Sofia and most recently Cypriot side AEL Limassol.

Petev succeeds Lyuboslav Penev, who was sacked in November after three years in charge, due to a poor showing in Euro 2016 qualifiers.

With two losses against Croatia and Norway and a 1-1 home draw against Malta, Bulgaria is currently fourth in Group H. It next faces Italy on March 28.