Thibaut Simon, Media365: published on Sunday January 4, 2026 at 6:40 p.m.
Bulgarian football is in mourning. Dimitar Penev, former coach of the country, died this Saturday January 3 at the age of 80 following a long illness.
For some, its name means little. However, Dimitar Penev crucified the Blues in 1993, one evening of November 17 at the Parc des Princes. Coach of Bulgaria at that time, Penev qualified his nation for the 1994 World Cup in the United States, at the same time depriving the French team of its trip across the Atlantic. Emil Kostadinov took on the role of “bad guy” to deliver Bulgaria 10 seconds from the end of the match. ” Attention ! Watch out Kostadinoooov! Olalalala,” exclaimed Thierry Roland at the time of the goal. Dimitar Penev had deprived the squad of Cantona, Papin, Ginola, Deschamps and Blanc of the World Cup. This Saturday, January 3, 2026, the Bulgarian Football Federation announced the death of its famous coach, at the age of 80.
Penev et la génération Stoichkov
Better than a qualification, Penev took Bulgaria to the semi-final of the 1994 World Cup. An almost perfect run where Bulgaria beat Argentina (2-0), Germany (2-1) in the quarters and defending champion, before losing against Italy (2-1) in the semi and Sweden (4-0) in the small final. An emblematic figure as a coach, but also as a player (90 caps), Penev, the former defender, notably participated in the World Cup three times (1966, 1970, 1974). Coach of CSKA and Lokomotiv Sofia, he took over the selection with players such as Hristo Stoichkov, Barça striker and Golden Ball winner in 1994, but also Trifon Ivanov and former Marseillais Yordan Letchkov.
Winner of eight Bulgarian championship titles as a player (one with Lokomotiv, seven with CSKA), Penev is considered one of the most influential coaches of his era, notably receiving the title of best Bulgarian coach of the 20th century. Nicknamed “the Strategist”, Dimitar Penev gained the respect of his entire country during his mandates and now leaves a huge void in Bulgarian football.
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