Hristo Stoichkov - Now Managing Football in Iran

Hristo Stoichkow is a love hate personality in Bulgaria. He has proved himslef as a player and manager, but he turned his back on Bulgarian football a couple of years ago and a Bulgarian footballing public has never forgiven him. His career now is out of Bulgaria, but I do feel that he will return to his own country in later years as time heals and people forgive. He is after all a proud Bulgarian and a talented manager who demands the same spirit from his players as he had.

Former Barcelona forward Hristo Stoichkov is set to take charge of Iranian side Abu Moslem from next season, according to the Mashhad-based club.

Stoichkov, who coached the Bulgaria national side from 2004 to 2007 as well as spending some time in charge of Spanish side Celta Vigo, is set to travel to Mashhad next week to sign a two-year deal, according to the club's general manager Hossein Ghasemi.

"We negotiated with him in the United Arab Emirates. Stoichkov will lead Abu Moslem in the next season of the Iran Professional League," Ghasemi said.

"We will sign a two-year contract with him and a Bulgarian assistant will help him with the team."

The 43-year old Stoichkov was a member of the Bulgaria national team that finished fourth at the 1994 World Cup, and was named European Footballer of the Year the same year.

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