The coach of the Bulgarian youth national football team, Alexander Dimitrov, expects to have talks between him and representatives of the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) in the near future about taking over the country's men's team.
The coach commented to BNT on the performance of the youth team after the matches with Azerbaijan and Gibraltar.
"We regret that we missed out on winning 6 points. We played better, despite the difficult terrain in Azerbaijan. This is a good opponent that is developing very well, because a lot is being invested. We have a chance to qualify for the European Championship, although the group is very difficult. We managed to get the youth national team to the third round, which is a great success," he shared in an interview for the show "Arena Sport."
The coach regrets the separation between Ilian Iliev and the representative national team.
"Ilian Iliev is working perfectly. He is a very great person and a true professional. We communicated well with him. I am very sorry for the separation, because he is one of the best specialists in Bulgaria. He shows it with his work. He does not deserve the hatred. It is clear that we are lagging behind in some respects. We are working, but the work must start from children's and youth football. The rule with the 4 Bulgarians who have to play is very successful," he added.
Dimitrov does not rule out the possibility of succeeding Iliev as coach.
"It would be an honor, a great challenge and a step up for me to take over the national team. There is nothing on the subject at the moment. I have had discussions on the subject with the Bulgarian Football Union. There have been informal talks. I assume that there will be talks this week because time is pressing us. The national team belongs to us, the Bulgarians. It must unite the nation. It cannot be done with a magic wand. The final goal that is being pursued must be clear. When it is not fulfilled, you get up and leave. Being the national team coach is recognition for the work you have done," the specialist added.