Penev replaces Matthaus at Bulgaria helm

Bulgaria's football union (BFU) appointed ex-CSKA Sofia coach Lyuboslav Penev to lead the national team after the sacking in September of German icon Lothar Matthaus. Penev will sign a two-year contract with an option to extend it for two more years, BFU president Borislav Mihaylov told a press conference after the appointment was approved by the union's executive committee. Bulgaria went fishing for a new coach to lead the country in the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers after Matthaeus failed to qualify the team for UEFA EURO 2012. Penev, 45, was part of Bulgaria's renowned side that qualified for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The striker was however forced to miss the tournament, where they finished fourth, after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. He had spells playing in Spain with Valencia, Atletico Madrid, Compostela and Celta Vigo before taking up coaching in 2009. He has since led CSKA and Litex Lovech.