Markov has point to prove

Many in Bulgaria believed that hiring Plamen Markov as coach of the national side at the end of 2001 was a risk, but if he can match his success as an international player he will prove the doubters wrong.

A strange decision 
When Markov was brought in to replace Stoichko Mladenov as coach, after a disastrous 6-0 group defeat to the Czech Republic had ended all hopes of qualification for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, it looked like a strange decision. While Markov had enjoyed an impressive playing career, he was managing second division FC Vidima-Rakovski in his hometown of Sevlievo.

Penev doubtful 
Former national team coach Dimitar Penev, who led Bulgaria to a fourth-place finish at USA 94 said that Markov was "a great and very talented player, but his coaching career has not been very successful". He added: "Appointing a second-division side manager is a risk and the Bulgarian Football Union (BFS) should take the responsibility for this action."

Mihailov confident 
Yet other important figures in Bulgarian football were delighted Markov had been given the task of reviving Bulgaria’s fortunes after years in the footballing doldrums. Former national goalkeeper Bobby Mihailov said Markov was chosen to run the national team because he was "a young man with contemporary understanding of the game".

Djorkaeff’s mentor 
Perhaps one of the many reasons that Markov seemed like a good calculated gamble was his role in giving French international Youri Djorkaeff and Tottenham Hotspur FC star Gustavo Poyet their first grounding in European football.

CSKA titan 
Markov started his playing career with his hometown side Vidima-Rakovski and was subsequently picked up by Bulgarian giants FC CSKA Sofia. In a phenomenal period for the club, Markov was in the sides that won the Bulgarian title in 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983, and also added winners medals from the 1981 and 1983 Bulgarian Cups to his weighty collection of domestic honours.

Immense reputation 
As the team’s playmaker, he was one of the guiding lights of CSKA’s exceptional run in the 1981 UEFA Champion Clubs’ Cup which saw them beat the all-conquering Liverpool FC on their way to the semi-finals of the competition. With 37 goals in 235 games for CSKA, Markov earned an immense reputation in Bulgaria that was enhanced by seven goals in 34 games for the national side.

French lessons
Eventually, Markov decided to venture further into Europe and between 1985 and 1987 he played for French side FC Metz before moving on to become player-coach at Grenoble Foot 38. It was here that he gave the 20-year-old Poyet his first experience of European football and acted as mentor for the young Djorkaeff.

Disappointment at CSKA 
Markov returned to Bulgaria as assistant coach of CSKA before moving to FC Chardafon Gabrovo for his first proper spell in full control of a club. His success at Chardafon led CSKA to appoint him as coach in 1995 but he was sacked before the winter break after a run of bad results. Undeterred he returned to Chardafon for a couple more seasons before taking another job with an A PFG side, Pernik-based FC Minior. He had moved on to second division Vidima-Rakovski when the Bulgarian national side came calling.

Two years’ grace
Markov has been given until the EURO 2004™ finals to prove that he can turn the fortunes of the ailing Bulgarian side around. There are plenty in Bulgaria who are confident that he will fail, but if he succeeds, he will have the pleasure of having proved some of the biggest names in Bulgarian football wrong.