Levski and Muslin part company

The contract of PFC Levski Sofia's Serbian head coach Slavoljub Muslin has been annulled by mutual consent at a session of the club's board of directors.

Todorov negotiations
The move followed Levski's 2-1 weekend defeat against PFC Slavia Sofia. Negotiations with Georgi Todorov have started which are expected to lead to his appointment as caretaker coach.

Early success
The 49-year-old Muslin was appointed as Levski coach in March 2002, taking over from Ruediger Abramczik and becoming the fifth coach to take charge of the side in 2001/02. The former FK Crvena Zvezda coach enjoyed conspicuous early success, leading Levski to a league and cup 'double', however the side failed to reach the UEFA Champions League group stages after a 2-0 aggregate defeat against FC Dynamo Kyiv in the third qualifying round and then lost 8-7 on penalties to SK Sturm Graz in the second round of the UEFA Cup.

Eight adrift
Discontent with Muslin grew this season after Levski were trashed 3-0 by rivals PFC CSKA Sofia in the championship to leave them eight points adrift of the leaders at the mid-season break. This lead was reduced to five points before Sunday's round of matches, when Levski lost their first league match at the Georgi Asparuhov stadium in 12 years as they were beaten 2-1 by PFC Slavia Sofia.

Serial caretaker
Probable new coach Todorov is currently in charge of Bulgaria's Under-18 team. He has been a caretaker coach at Levski several times in the past and was Muslin's assistant until he lost his job last September.

Players fined
The Levski board of directors have also fined players Georgi Markov, Stanislav Genchev, and Georgi Petkov €1,000 each. Markov and Genchev were sent off against Slavia, while goalkeeper Petkov attacked an opponent after the end of the match.