CSKA strengthen Spasov's hand

By Stoyan Georgiev

PFC CSKA Sofia coach Ferario Spasov was the focus of attention as 2004 drew to a close, despite his side's inactivity. CSKA ended the year top of the Bulgarian Premier League on goal difference from PFC Levski Sofia, but that wasn't enough to dampen speculation about the coach's future.

Spasov speculation
Rumours that he might be on the way out intensified with the appearance of former French international and Paris Saint-Germain FC coach Luis Fernandez at CSKA's goalless draw with champions PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv on 27 November, but Spasov has clung tenaciously to his job.

CSKA signings
Indeed, Spasov has even strengthened his squad during the winter break, returning to his former club PFC Litex Lovech to recruit Brazilian midfielder Tiago Silva. CSKA have also signed promising 17-year-old Ivan Ivanov from second division side PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad, but failed to agree terms with PFC Naftex Burgas for Bulgaria striker Stoiko Sakaliev, who now returns to Naftex after a year on loan.

Jayeoba to Levski
Levski have increased their firepower by landing Loko Plovdiv's Nigerian star Ekundayo Jayeoba for €150,000. Other arrivals are Croatian defender Igor Tomasic - the 28-year-old free agent joining on an initial 18-month deal - and attacking midfielder Miroslav Ivanov from second-division PFC Shumen 2001. In addition, Bulgarian internationals Dimitar Ivankov, Elin Topuzakov and Georgi Markov have signed extensions to their contracts, but Ilian Stoianov and Todor Kolev have refused new deals and face an uncertain future.

Plovdiv replacement
In other transfer news, Plovdiv have taken Brazilian striker Marcelo Vava from PFC Belasitza Petrich to replace Jayeoba, and new Litex coach Itzhak Shum has a tough task ahead following the sales of Ivan Bandalovski to Feyenoord and Tiago Silva to CSKA.

New faces
There will be three new faces in charge of clubs when the season resumes in the last week of February: Georgi Ivanov succeeds Miroslav Mironov at Belasitsa, Rumen Dimov comes in for Petar Kurdov at PFC Spartak Varna, and Ognyan Ralev takes charge of Naftex.

Berbatov awarded
Bayer 04 Leverkusen striker Dimitar Berbatov has been named Bulgaria's Player of the Year for a second time, with US Lecce's Valeri Bojinov and VfL Wolfsburg's Martin Petrov coming second and third respectively.

Stoitchkov success
Meanwhile, Hristo Stoitchkov maintained his successful start as coach of Bulgaria with a 2-1 friendly victory against Spanish regional team Valenciana on 28 December. Stoitchkov is unbeaten in seven games at the helm and can continue that impressive form on 9 February, when Bulgaria play Serbia and Montenegro in a friendly in Sofia.