Bulgaria Sack Markov (their manager)

**NeilMcD** · 02/12/2008, 4:43 PM

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...98418&&cc=5739

**Hibs4Ever** · 02/12/2008, 5:13 PM

Venables for that job I reckon

**gspain** · 02/12/2008, 5:39 PM

Originally Posted by Hibs4Ever

Venables for that job I reckon

We'd never be that lucky. No doubt his mates will link him with it though.

This is really bad news for us. A new coach will give them a boost and get them playing again.

**centre mid** · 02/12/2008, 5:45 PM

Originally Posted by gspain

This is really bad news for us. A new coach will give them a boost and get them playing again.

I wouldnt neccesarily agree with that, there is obvioulsy serious player power with the Bulgarian team, after all this sacking comes only a couple of weeks after Bulgaria's most talented player publicly stated he would not play for his country while the present manager remained in charge.

Bulgaria are talking about possibly going outside the country to get a manager so who knows how that will sit with this crowd of players.

To my mind Bulgaria is not THE most attractive international job.

Its quite possible that they have already blown their chance of qualifying, admitedly its still very early in the competition.

I supposed it depends on how they react to this new manager.

**eirebhoy** · 02/12/2008, 6:18 PM

Originally Posted by gspain

This is really bad news for us. A new coach will give them a boost and get them playing again.

I don't know. If he wasn't rated by the players he probably wouldn't have been re-signed by Bulgaria anyway. They just don't have many very good players to choose from, particularly now with Petrov injured.

**Sligo Hornet** · 02/12/2008, 6:56 PM

Originally Posted by gspain

This is really bad news for us. A new coach will give them a boost and get them playing again.

Not really...they are at a low ebb, and there won't to be too many big names queing up for that job..........can you hear the barrell being scraped Mr.Venables?

**rambler14** · 02/12/2008, 9:33 PM

What happened to Hristo Stoichkov???

**Claret Murph** · 03/12/2008, 6:13 AM

I would say that was on the cards really .

**Lenny82** · 03/12/2008, 7:55 AM

Sh*te!! I was hoping they wouldn't sack him 'til after we gave them a thrashing!!! Their next competitive game is against us so this will give them a huge boost. Hopefully Steve Staunton does us a favour and puts his name forward!!!

**tetsujin1979** · 03/12/2008, 9:30 AM

Two months to sign a manager, have him assess the playing squad, convince Berbatov that international football is not a waste of his time, pray to whatever God he believes in to give Martin Petrov a set of hamstrings not made of straw, and prepare them for a game in Croke Park.
Can't see Venables doing that to be honest.

**lopez** · 03/12/2008, 9:40 AM

Originally Posted by gspain

This is really bad news for us. A new coach will give them a boost and get them playing again.

Have to agree with you there. New managers always give a team a boost. I was hoping they'd stick with this bloke until after the summer.

**Hibernian** · 03/12/2008, 9:51 AM

I am pleased that so many of you think we will beat Bulgaria. Even thrash them as one person pointed out

I hope yer right

**elroy** · 03/12/2008, 10:04 AM

Lads Bulgaria are not out of it by any means, they didnt have a great start but it could be alot worse. For example, I would take a draw at home to Italy to be honest at the moment. They have some very handy players that if are managed properly can prove to be very effective.

The keys games will be home and away against Bulgaria, so the group is very much in Bulgaria's hands. And considering our past record at beating the "big" teams in the group, I wouldnt be overly confident of us getting what we need from both games against them.

Generally when a new manager comes in, the team has a temporary improvement in performances so the same is likely to happen here. Remember the same Terry V that we are ridiculing here was v close to getting our job.

**Junior** · 03/12/2008, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by elroy

The keys games will be home and away against Bulgaria, so the group is very much in Bulgaria's hands. And considering our past record at beating the "big" teams in the group, I wouldnt be overly confident of us getting what we need from both games against them.

I disagree, if your statement is correct, then the group is very much in Irelands hands. Both games still to come, its up to us to deliver the necessary results.

**elroy** · 03/12/2008, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by Junior

I disagree, if your statement is correct, then the group is very much in Irelands hands. Both games still to come, its up to us to deliver the necessary results.

I agree the group is without doubt very much in our hands.
My point was that some posts above are indicating that Bulgaria have blown qualifying already which is far from the case. For example, four points from six against us would put them ahead of us for qualification.

**gspain** · 03/12/2008, 10:17 AM

The table is deceptive at the moment.

We've gained 2 points on Bulgaria by beating Georgia. We had a bit of luck that it was played in Mainz. Their draw at home to Italy is probably a point back. I'd take a draw at home to Italy now.

They have good players. They came close to qualifying for Euro2008. This is a very attractive job for a manager. He has nothing to lose. Venables would jump at the job. They can and probably will do better.

We would have been far better off if an under pressure Markov came to Dublin with a de-motivated side.

**geysir** · 03/12/2008, 10:35 AM

Difficult to get all the luck all the time.
There comes a time in every group when you have to earn your top 2 place.
Beating Bulgaria at home is the key to finishing 2nd.
A home draw is only decent if we can do the same in the away game.

Regardless of the circumstances the +2 points gained "away" to Georgia gives us some vital leverage.
Probably we could lose h&a to Italy and still be a point ahead of Bulgaria.

**paul_oshea** · 03/12/2008, 11:00 AM

probably right ciaran, on the last two sentences. stuts you must also be right.

Bulgaria getting a new manager cant make much difference given he will only have them for about 5 days before they play ireland on the saturday, unless they get a friendly in february. Still we are 10 points by then as well if we beat georgia so we should be top of our game and full of confidence to win by a goal against bulgaria then. If we win that then we are 13 with an extra game played and they are still only 3 points, we will have to worry about montenegro then. This could be a 2nd place finish by the easiest of margins given how poor the opposition actually turn out to be, and then prematurely we could be singing Trap as IL Savior

**CJTheGull** · 03/12/2008, 11:11 AM

Lads - I'd say they will go for Venebales. They know that it's pretty much between themselves and us for the 2nd place finish. They'll be thinking that a Manager with experience of the 'British-style' game would be ideal as the games against us are a potential make or brake games for both sides. I don't rate Venebales much but he could have that experience to shut us down and in fairness it's not as if we've been amazing in our last few games.

Still see us finishing second in the group though (just about).