BULGARIA manager Ilian Iliev has quit just weeks out from their Nations League promotion/relegation play-off with Ireland.
The Boys in Green are due to fight to preserve their League B status across two legs on March 20 and 23.
It’s unclear who will replace Iliev in the Bulgarian dugout when they host Ireland on March 20[/caption]
And while Heimir Hallgrimsson is still relatively new in the job, Ireland suddenly boast the more settled coaching situation heading into the crucial pair of fixtures.
Illiev opted to quit his post in protest after accusations of bias had been levelled against him.
Some within Bulgarian football have suggested as such due to him remaining in charge of club side Cherno More.
The 56-year-old has not taken any speculation that he has or will continue to let his selection decisions be swayed towards the Varna-based team’s players lightly.
In a furious resignation statement, he vented: “I keep my word (after previously threatening to quit).
“I cannot act differently after the lies that were told about me. Let’s see who the Executive Committee believes – me or Atanas Karaivanov.”
Karaivanov is the president of Bulgaria’s domestic league.
The role of the country’s manager has endured a rocky recent history as upon being appointed in November 2023, Iliev became their fourth in as many years.
An official communication on the Bulgarian Football Union’s website later confirmed his departure.
It read: “Today (March 4) the coach of the Bulgarian national team Ilian Iliev submitted his resignation electronically.
“It will be considered at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Bulgarian Football Union, which will be held next week.”
Illiev’s team finished second in their League C group whereas the Republic of Ireland just about placed in third above Finland.
Ahead of this month’s double-header, striker Adam Idah acknowledged that they need a change of mentality, to improve their form which has seen them lose ten of their last 16 games.
The 24-year-old said: “It (the Bulgaria tie) will be massive for us.
“Over the last three or four years, the results haven’t been great. We know that ourselves. It’s been difficult for us.
“So for us now to change that mentality and focus on changing that will be massive for us.
“I think it’s really difficult when you go through a period of losing games.
“It’s hard to switch to a winning mentality. I wouldn’t say we’re going out to lose every game but it’s difficult to get back.
“But having a fresh start now, some new players, and staff, we’ve a good core there. Hopefully we can get off to a good start.”
CORK CALLING
Idah missed Ireland’s last camp in November – a 1-0 win over Finland and 5-0 defeat to England – but has been in regular contact with Heimir Hallgrímsson and John O’Shea.
Idah hopes his recent form which has seen him net five goals in his last nine appearances can earn him a starting slot against Bulgaria.
But he is also looking forward to July 8 when he and Celtic will play against Cork City at Páirc Ui Chaoimh in the Cork Super Cup.
It will be Idah’s first appearance back in his hometown in eight years, and he admitted he never thought it would happen.
He said: “I didn’t think I’d ever play in Cork again, I think I was 15 or 16 down in the (Turner’s) Cross, to come back again will be amazing. It will be a great day.”
