Balakov aware of St. Gallen task

Krassimir Balakov has returned to management with FC St. Gallen having parted company with their Swiss rivals Grasshopper-Club at the end of last season.

'Football city'
The 41-year-old former Bulgaria midfielder replaces René Weiler, who took over from Rolf Fringer following his sacking earlier this month but did not possess the necessary coaching qualifications. Balakov, who has signed a contract until the end of the campaign with the option of another year if the currently bottom-placed club stay in the Super League, said: "I came here because St Gallen is well-known as a football city. It will be a difficult job but my goal is to keep the team up. It's not possible to play beautiful football in the near future. The players will have to give 120 per cent and eat grass if necessary." Balakov made his name as a player with Sporting Clube de Portugal and VfB Stuttgart, also starring at the 1994 FIFA World Cup where Bulgaria finished fourth.