From World Cup Bronze to Nurturing Talent: Bulgaria Honors Dimitar Penev

Jerusalem, 5 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) – Thousands paid tribute at the Vasil Levski National Stadium on Monday to the late Dimitar Penev, who will be remembered for his brilliant career as a football player and coach. The funeral service for Bulgaria’s number one coach of the 20th century began at 10:00 a.m., with a number of former footballers, sports figures, politicians, and admirers in attendance to say their final goodbyes.

Many members of the Bulgarian team that finished fourth at the 1994 FIFA World Cup under Penev’s leadership paid their respects. Among them were Hristo Stoichkov, Emil Kostadinov, Nasko Sirakov, Yordan Letchkov, Krasimir Balakov, and Daniel Borimirov. The ceremony was also attended by several accomplished footballers whom Penev had discovered and nurtured as young talents, including Dimitar Berbatov, Martin Petrov, and Filip Filipov.

President Rumen Radev expressed his condolences to the family and loved ones of prominent footballer and coach Dimitar Penev, as well as to the entire Bulgarian football community in a statement.

“Dimitar Penev will remain forever in the history of Bulgarian football,” Radev wrote. With Lokomotiv Sofia and CSKA Sofia, Penev won multiple national titles and Bulgarian Cups, while his achievements as a coach are linked to some of Bulgaria’s most prestigious performances at both club and national level. The President highlighted Penev’s major contribution to discovering and supporting numerous young talents on their path to top-level football.

Radev recalled that Penev inscribed his name in Bulgaria’s sporting chronicles with the national team’s historic bronze medals at the FIFA World Cup in the United States, an achievement celebrated by the entire nation. He also noted that Penev was rightfully named Bulgaria’s Coach of the 20th Century in 1996.

“With patience, deep understanding of the game, and insight into the characters of some of Bulgaria’s greatest footballers, Dimitar Penev not only delivered the national team’s best-ever result, but also united the Bulgarian people at a time when they deeply needed it,” the President said.

Penev passed away on Saturday at the age of 80.

Former presidents Georgi Parvanov and Petar Stoyanov, Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev also paid their respects to the great Penev.

Wreaths and flowers were laid by the BFU, the Bulgarian Professional Football League, all First League clubs, the National Assembly, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Council of Ministers, and various ministries and institutions.

Meanwhile, the academy of Bulgarian football club CSKA will bear Penev’s name, the club announced.

“There are individuals who leave an indelible mark on our lives. Dimitar Penev was one of them – a symbol of the club’s spirit, a winning mentality, and the enduring values that CSKA has upheld for nearly eight decades. As a sign of respect for his contribution to the CSKA institution, the club has officially decided that its future youth academy will carry the name ‘Dimitar Penev’. The reason is clear – he embodies, to the fullest extent, the skill, determination and belief in discovering and shaping football talent. Without exaggeration, he is the figure who paved the way for the greatest generation in Bulgarian football, including some of CSKA’s most legendary players,” the club said.