 | FACTFILE Born: 09/11/57 Position: Manager Appointed: Dec 2001 |
Plamen Markov was a surprise replacement for coach Stoicho Mladenov, who was sacked in 2001 after Bulgaria's unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign. But the former manager of second division side Vidima Rakovski comfortably guided his side through qualification for Euro 2004.
Markov won 34 caps for Bulgaria in a career that saw him play for CSKA Sofia and Metz.
Since taking control of the national side he has gradually assembled a young squad with excellent team spirit.
Markov's Bulgaria are a cautious, well-organised side who let in just four goals in their eight qualifying games.
He prefers to start with Dimitar Berbatov as a lone striker with support coming from Wolfsburg winger Martin Petrov and Celtic playmaker Stilian Petrov (no relation).
Did you know? Markov banned his players from having sex during the build-up to their Euro 2004 qualifiers, ordering his squad to spend their evenings watching theatre instead.
MMIX
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