Edward Iordanescu favoured to become Bulgaria's national team coach

Bulgaria looks for a new coach

Bulgaria has been without a permanent national team coach since the federation dismissed Aleksandar Dimitrov at the end of September. The decision followed a poor start to Nations League Division C, a 1-2 defeat to Luxembourg and a goalless draw with Estonia in Plovdiv. Atanas Ribarski took over on an interim basis, lost 0-3 to Iceland and then beat Luxembourg 2-0. Bulgarian media reported on 8 October that the federation wants an experienced coach with proven results at European level and does not plan to keep relying on Ribarski. Bulgaria still has two group matches to play, against Iceland on 13 November and Estonia on 16 November.

Edward Iordanescu tops the list

Filternews reports that Edward Iordanescu, a 48-year-old Romanian, is the front-runner because he meets the federation's two main criteria, proven experience and modest financial demands. The federation's leadership is set to contact him, and if negotiations conclude successfully, he could make his debut in November. His record includes a three-month spell at CSKA Sofia from August to November 2016 and qualification for Euro 2024 as Romania coach, where the team won its group and then exited in the round of 16 to the Netherlands. He later coached Legia Warsaw from June 2025 on a two-year contract, managing 24 matches before leaving on 31 October 2025 after disappointing results in the Ekstraklasa and the Polish Cup. Iordanescu had pointed to the club's heavy turnover, with about 13 to 14 players leaving and 10 arriving in the transfer window, as a barrier to building a stable side. He has been without a club since.

The second name on the list is Sylvinho, a former Arsenal, Barcelona and Manchester City player who coached Albania from January 2023 to May 2026. People familiar with the matter, as cited by filternews, say his contractual and financial demands exceed Iordanescu's. The federation reportedly sees no point in spending heavily on a coach while the team is in its current situation.

Criticism of a foreign appointment

A possible appointment of a foreign coach has drawn criticism in Bulgaria. Alexandar Stankov, a former youth national team coach, told Gol.bg that the job should go to a Bulgarian and questioned whether the federation's decision makers are thinking clearly.

Not only Iordanescu, but anyone who comes will find it very hard to achieve anything truly significant.

Stankov also argued that Bulgaria has enough good coaches who are currently without contracts. Bulgaria's federation is looking for a solution to restore the team before its final group matches.

Timeline and next steps

The sequence so far runs from the late-September dismissal to the media reports of 8 October, with the next two matches scheduled for 13 and 16 November.

Iordanescu's appointment depends on whether the negotiations conclude successfully. Until a deal is announced, the federation remains without a permanent coach ahead of the November fixtures.