Comment by Yanaki Dimitrov, "TEMA SPORT":
What is happening in Levski and what are the prospects for the club? After the past Extraordinary General Meeting about a month ago, we did not receive any concrete answers from the management. And on Wednesday, somehow, by the way, the media came and went the participation of the central striker of the Blues Alex Kolev in a podcast made by the general sponsor of the club. In it, the ram brought out dirty shirts from the locker room.
He did it, perhaps, without wanting to. But with them he touched the wound not only of the team, but also showed those of the entire club.
„In Krumovgrad we had a great team. The one in Levski? It's very difficult, because there are quite a few foreigners and when the number of Bulgarians is small, you don't have three or four leaders who can stand up and pound on the table, it's not possible. I've had conversations with the people above (ed. – refers to the management) and they told me what I should do, I know, but when you say something in the locker room, they start with ridicule and shoves. There are always people who, when they are not playing, start by setting themselves up against a coach. And if you call out the Armenian priest, you cannot unite the team“, said the striker.
In a serious club, Alex Kolev would most likely have received a strict reprimand and a fine for his statement. But at least he told you how things are. Instead of talking about clichés, he didn't point out “how great we are and what a great success the second place is, which hasn't been won for 10 years“… Julio Velasquez keeps repeating the latter things, to whom it has clearly been well explained where he has ended up and what the fans expect. But that is another topic, and at this stage it seems to be unimportant.
It is strange why in a big club like Levski a footballer has to receive orders from the bosses and act like a scoundrel in the locker room, while his teammates don't listen to him? Why doesn't “Gerena“ have a sports director who can build everyone, including the coaching staff
This case has been raised several times, but the takeaway from it has always been that the majority owner Nasko Sirakov, executive director Daniel Borimirov and member of the Management Board Hristo Yovov possess “more than the necessary expertise“ to spend money on opening such a position in the club. According to the bosses, Levski is no longer threatened with bankruptcy, but this important position continues to be neglected.
Where is the sports director to say something immediately after a match - a brief opinion about the game, and as has become fashionable lately, and to jump against inadequate refereeing, and not for this to happen 2 days late in writing. It has come to the point that Levski is not shaved for a plum in the Bulgarian Football Union. And after the cleanest penalty in the world, they officially explain to him that there is none. Otherwise, a stone would not have been left on top of a stone in Boyana a while ago. Now they are picking on the fact that the son of the chief of referees trained in the Black Sea. Seriously? Moreover, after the son of the former president of the Bulgarian Football Union has been guarding Levski's goal for many years. And his son-in-law - first a player for the Blues, then a temporary coach and finally a permanent one. We are talking about Nikolay Mihaylov and Zhivko Milanov.
Who is currently responsible for the selection? And for the selection of a head coach? It is not serious for a majority owner to deal with such things. So, "Gerena" does not know when it will have money for a sports director and does it even need one? What is scarier, however, is that it was not clear what would happen after 1 year and 7 months, because until then the contract with the general sponsor was in effect. And that's why a sports concept for the next 5 seasons could not be made. Isn't it time for the club to have several options for continuing life after a specific date? The news about the sponsor was revealed after the extraordinary General Meeting, convened due to the announcements of the planned construction of a new stadium. From which it turned out that the situation is “Neroden Petko“. And by the way - since the beginning of the year, there has been no sponsor against the name of “Georgi Asparuhov“? Why? Aren't these missed millions of benefits? In general, every question gives rise to another.
But let's get back to what Alex Kolev said about the team. Levski is currently confidently in second place in the standings, sending them to the European tournaments for sure. With a 9-point lead over the third and fourth, respectively Arda and Cherno More. The difference became so much after the last round, in which the Blues won hard with 1:0 over Septemvri Sf. In the 82nd minute and 28th second, Mustafa Sangare's header crossed the goal line. The Ram jumped over the advertising boards and went to celebrate in sector A. He was not followed by any teammate. At one point, he still received congratulations from Ohene and Georgi Kostadinov. And only then did Kelian van der Kaap, who was wearing the captain's armband at that moment, start waving to the others to go and celebrate with the goal scorer. We are talking about an episode that, in principle, should unleash joy… But apparently the situation on the field, as well as on the higher floors of the club, is “an eagle, a crab and a pike“. The playoffs are just beginning, and things can quickly turn upside down. And then the Blues will really have to complain to the Armenian priest, who will start tidying up their house.