He died at the age of 80. Penev is the best coach of the 20th century in Bulgaria
Dimitar Penev
(Фото: Bongarts / Getty Images)
Former Bulgarian national team player and coach Dimitar Penev has died at the age of 80. About this reported press service of the Bulgarian Football Union.
“It’s a very sad day for Bulgarian football – the number one coach in Bulgaria in the 20th century, the legendary Dimitar Penev, has left us. In July, the strategist who led Bulgaria to the greatest success in football history – fourth place at the 1994 World Cup in the USA – celebrated his 80th birthday,” the statement said.
Penev began his football career with Lokomotiv Sofia (1959 – 1964), and then moved to CSKA, where he played until 1977. He has eight Bulgarian championship titles to his name: one with Lokomotiv and seven with CSKA. Twice he became the best football player in the country (1967, 1971).
Penev played 90 matches for the Bulgarian national team and scored two goals. He took part in the 1966, 1970 and 1974 World Championships.
After completing his sports career, Penev coached the national team and led them to fourth place at the World Championships in the USA in 1994. He was recognized as the best coach of the 20th century in Bulgaria and became an honorary citizen of Sofia.
