Naftex appoint Italian duo
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Article summary
PFC Naftex Burgas have replaced coach Dimitar Dimitrov with Italian pair Claudio Maselli and Salvatore Bianchetti.
Article body
Hero no more
The overhaul at Naftex comes after the popular Dimitrov could only lead them to an eighth-place finish in the Bulgarian top flight last season.
Shared duties
The new coaching team have already decided how they will share their duties: Maselli, who has coached FC Genoa 1893, will train the players while Bianchetti will be responsible for the team's fitness and physical training. "It is a challenge for me to work in Bulgaria and I hope to reach our aims with Naftex," Maselli said.
New assistants
The Italians, both 53, have promoted former youth team coaches Panayot Gorov and Todor Koychev to assistant coaches for the senior side. Erolin Kyuchukov remains goalkeeping coach.
Three-year dream
Naftex executive director Plamen Kiryakov said that the arrivals of Maselli and Bianchetti are the first step in a three-year plan, which will culminate in winning the Bulgarian league title. The Italian pair will also be expected to attract young talent to the club.