January 6 – Ventseslav Stefanov (pictured), the president of Bulgaria’s oldest club Slavia Sofia, has terminated the contract of the team’s captain and former Bulgarian international, Galin Ivanov.
The Slavia boss said the player had tried to interfere in the work of head coach Zlatomir Zagorcic, and in particular player selection.
Ivanov has been a key player in the Slavia team with more than 280 appearances and 50 goals in four different periods at the Whites.
But Ivanov’s record means very little to Stefanov. “I am the president of Slavia. If you have questions about Galin Ivanov, ask me, not coach Zlatomir Zagorcic. Why are you asking him? Galin Ivanov has been released. He can stay at the stadium, no one is bothering him. He will not train and will not play again for Slavia,” Stefanov said.
After Stefanov’s press conference, the boss of the capital club was confronted by angry fans who demanded an explanation for his decision.
Stefanov replied: “Who should I get along with? Galin? Are you crazy? Should he say this one will play and that one will not? Should he choose the squad? Do you know how he treats the young players in the team?”
Ivanov showed up for his first training session with Slavia’s 2025 squad, but did not participate with the rest of the players, training on his own.
It is still unclear how the Slavia captain’s contract will be terminated and whether he will receive financial compensation for its premature termination.
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1736274785labto1736274785ofdlr1736274785owedi1736274785sni@o1736274785fni1736274785