"I don't believe in tactics," announced Hristo Stoichkov on his unveiling as Celta Vigo manager in 2007. He wasn't lying - he was a man who had once lined up Bulgaria in an inexplicable 2-4-4 formation for a World Cup qualifying game. His playing career was spent most famously at CSKA Sofia, Parma and Barcelona, and his managerial career started at the very top when he was named Bulgaria manager after their poor showing at Euro 2004. During Stoichkov's reign the idea of actually qualifying for a tournament seemed a distant dream. Under their legendary former striker Bulgaria failed to qualify for World Cup 2006 and had clashes with three players - including captain Stilyan Petrov - that forced them into early international retirement. With the country failing to get anywhere near qualifying for Euro 2008, the volatile Stoichkov resigned from his post and soon turned up at Celta. He didn't last long, dragging the club into a relegation battle in the Spanish second tier. In a short spell in charge of South African side Mamelodi Sundowns he led them to second place in the league, but the nomadic boss soon moved back home to take charge of Litex. Again he spent just a season in charge before jumping ship to join Bulgarian powerhouse - and his former club - CSKA Sofia but he quit after just one month without taking charge of a game. Having burnt bridges and fallen out with players everywhere he's been, it's hard to see clubs lining up to give him a job any time soon!
David is an office drone and freelance writer for WhatCulture and Moviepilot, among others. He's also foolishly writing a serialised novel on Jukepop and has his own irregularly updated website. He's available for freelance work. Reach out on Twitter to @davefox990
