Penev leaves Botev to focus on Bulgaria

Bulgaria national coach Luboslav Penev has left his post at PFC Botev Plovidv after just one game in charge.

Penev, 47, took over at Botev a month ago after receiving permission from the Bulgarian Football Union (BFS) to combine the two roles. But despite a 4-0 first-leg win over AC Libertas in the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round last Thursday, Penev has decided to concentrate on UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying. "I would fall short," he said. "I want to take the opportunity to thank the club, the players and the fans, who supported me from the very first day."

Former players Marin Bakalov and Kostadin Vidolov will occupy the dugout for the decider in San Marino on Thursday, as Botev aim to set up a second qualifying round tie against Austria's SKN St Pölten, with the Bulgarian A League starting on 19 July. Bulgaria open UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying in Azerbaijan on 9 September, with Croatia, Italy, Malta and Norway also in Group H.