A few months ago, Botev (Plovdiv) made a transfer move, but not with a player, but with the signing of coach Dimitar Dimitrov. One of the most titled and respected football specialists in Bulgaria gave an interview to Sportal.bg.
About his return to Bulgarian football. How did Iliyan Filipov manage to convince him?
“So he succeeded after I returned to Bulgarian football. Especially in Botev (Plovdiv). Maybe with his behavior, with his words, with the things he told me, he convinced me that this was a project that was worth trying. After all, I have had several offers from Botev over the years. For various reasons, it didn't work out. I thought that this time I should respond to the invitation.
The situation is quite difficult at the moment. Our club is paying off debts, I can't say that the financial situation is one of the best. But in these difficult periods, a person hardens, shows the necessary character and desire. With his behavior and words, without going into details, this person convinced me that it is worth it.”
No fear of working with young players
“I am not afraid, of course. Over the years, I have worked with many young players. We will try. We don't really have any options, because you know that it is very difficult to make a selection in the winter. And we also have a certain policy to look only for free transfers. Young players to develop and then look for the right market for them. I think it is a pleasure for every coach to work with young players.”
Why does Botev mainly focus on foreigners and will he be able to comply with the BFU rule for Bulgarian players?
“There are no Bulgarian players on the market. If there are, they are bound by contracts, and the prices are extremely high. We have no chance of taking a Bulgarian player. And that is why we rely more on our school, we are trying to integrate more players into the men's team. The basis will be from our school and foreigners that I can find.
We comply with the BFU rule and will continue to comply with it. This is our duty.”
The upcoming quarter-final for the Cup against Lokomotiv (Plovdiv)
“I expect there to be a lot of excitement for this match. Emotional. I expect both teams to come out highly motivated, each of them wants to prove themselves, to win. I hope things will be resolved on the pitch and the better, more deserving team will win.”
How does he expect Lokomotiv fans to receive him?
“No matter how they receive me, even badly, I will not react in any way, because I have only seen good things from these people and I will not react.”
Why did you take a player from Göztepe instead of Stanimir Stoilov?
“Before we managed to take Brian from Germany, we had a problem finding a full-back, after Yordanov left and went to CSKA. I had turned to him (b.a. Stoilov) if there were young players who could help me at this stage, and he offered me this option (b.a. Zacaria Tindano). I agreed. I had observations, I watched him and I think he is a promising young footballer who I am convinced will help us a lot.”
On the departure of Yordanov, Oko-Flex and Odjo
“They were important, but this is part of football. There are no irreplaceable people, there are always replacements. I hope we have found worthy people. It is indeed difficult when leading footballers leave, but in time we will find worthy replacements.”
The problem with Oko-Flex
“There was a bitterness from his departure. Since he had a buyout clause, of course things could have happened in a very polite and tolerant way. The people who decided to do it that way did it. Everyone has their own arguments and reasons to seek their rights. I don't want to go into details on this topic. Oko helped our team, but Botev also helped them because they were in a hole. He's performing, he's shown his qualities. I don't see anything else besides wishing the boy success.”
About the criticism of the refereeing, do you think it's improving?
“Unfortunately, I can't say that it's improving, because I see how things are in detail. I've been following them for many years. I've always hoped it would be better, but at this stage I can't boast about this.
The Bulgarian VAR most of the time hinders rather than helps. I'm all for VAR, but not in this Bulgarian version in which it has shown itself. That is, to help certain teams and hinder others.”
Does it hinder Botev and why?
“In many cases. I can't say why. I can't answer that question. In one match I allowed myself to criticize and I was punished. People want to shut me up like that, but I'm not one of those who will be bothered by a fine and won't speak their mind. I'll always say it, no matter how unpleasant it is for some people to hear it. Nobody is able to shut me up. When I see injustices, unfair and underhanded games, I will always tell things as they are.”
Do you see light at the end of the tunnel after the change in the BFU?
“I am convinced that Georgi Ivanov is doing everything possible to change things, but this system, this status quo, is very difficult to change in a short time.”
Was refereeing better in the 1990s than it is now?
“No, I wouldn't say it was better. I think it's almost on the same level. You know, we're talking about corruption and things like that, but they are more like dependent people. People who got into the refereeing in a different way than normal and are carrying out the orders of those who put them in the refereeing. During this half-season, I saw, without mentioning the teams, that four of them have the same referees, which shows me that things are not as they should be. Very often, these teams have referees who play both away and home. This shows some dependencies.
I claim that Bulgarian refereeing is not at the level it should be.”
About the national team and why did it end up playing with Solomon Islands and Saint Kitts?
“The reasons for us ending up playing with these teams you listed are not from this year or last year. They are much deeper. The level of Bulgarian football has dropped drastically over the years, and that is why we have reached this ranking in UEFA and FIFA. If we start talking about this topic, it is large-scale and will take a long time.”
When will we have footballers at the level when Hero was the national coach?
“There are many reasons, but one of the most important and relevant ones is these schools, which have been around for a long time. They work exclusively for a fee, without choosing, selecting good footballers. Young footballers accept them not because of their qualities and abilities, but because of completely different factors.”
Appeal and wishes to the fans of Botev and Lokomotiv before the Cup derby
“When I was at Lokomotiv, I had many friends from Botev. Now I am on the other side. I have many friends from Lokomotiv (Plovdiv) and I wish the years I listened to would return, when they went to the matches together and "chatted", but were extremely well-intentioned and correct towards each other. There was no such antagonism as there is at the moment. I hope they understand that football is not war, but a pleasant emotion. A phenomenon that you deserve to experience with all your heart.”