PFC CSKA Sofia commonly known as
CSKA or
CSKA Sofia (internationally) is a professional
footballAssociation football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
club based in
SofiaSofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
,
BulgariaBulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
. The club was officially founded on May 5, 1948. CSKA's abbreviation stands for
Central Sports Club of the Army . At present, however, the club does not have any direct ties to the Bulgarian Army.
Since its formation, CSKA has won 31
A PFGThe Bulgarian A Professional Football Group commonly known as A PFG is the top division of the Bulgarian football league system. The league is sponsored by Victoria FATA Insurance and therefore is officially known as Victoria A Football Group since 2011...
titles and 20
national cupsThe Bulgarian Cup is a Bulgarian annual football competition. It is the country's main cup competition and all officially registered Bulgarian football teams take part in it. It is sponsored by the Bulgarian Corporate Commercial Bank....
and is the best performing Bulgarian football club based on the all-time national statistics.
Internationally, CSKA has reached two European Cup semi-finals, four European Cup quarter-finals and one Cup Winners' Cup semi-final, also making it the best performing Bulgarian club in European club competitions.
The club's home colours are red and white. CSKA's home ground is the
Balgarska Armiya StadiumBulgarian Army Stadium is the club stadium of the Bulgarian football club CSKA Sofia. It is situated in the Borisova Gradina , in the centre of Sofia. The stadium has four sectors and a total of 22,015 seats, of which 2,100 are covered...
(Bulgarian Army Stadium) with a capacity of 22,015 spectators. To date, the club's biggest rivals are Levski Sofia, and matches between the two sides are commonly referred to as
The Eternal DerbyThe Eternal Derby of Bulgarian Football or simply The Eternal Derby is the name of the local derby football match between the two most popular and successful football clubs in Sofia and Bulgaria - PFC Levski Sofia and PFC CSKA Sofia...
in Bulgaria.
1948–1962
In May 1948, the board of the newly created club "Septemvri pri CDV" included the following members: Honorable Chairman - Lt. Gen. Georgi Damyanov, the Minister of Defense, Chairman - Maj. Gen. Boyan Balgaranov; Deputy Chairman - Col. Tashev, Petar Mihaylov, Aleksandar Valchev, and Lyubcho Kralev, plus five more members. The contract was signed on the 5
th of May, 1948, which is officially considered the club's date of foundation. The club's first official game took place on May 19, 1948, against Slavia Sofia at Yunak stadium - 1:1. Septemvri pri CDV eliminated Aprilov (
GabrovoGabrovo is a city in central northern Bulgaria, the administrative centre of Gabrovo Province. It is situated at the foot of the central Balkan Mountains, in the valley of the Yantra River, and is known as an international capital of humour and satire , as well as noted for its Bulgarian National...
) and Spartak Varna on its way to the finals.
The team reached the national final, where it faced Levski Sofia, losing 1:2 in the first match. The decisive second match took place on September 9
th, 1948, under referee Stefan Danchev. Septemvri pri CDV consisted of: Stefan Gerenski, Borislav Futekov,
Manol ManolovManol Manolov was a football defender and manager.For the Bulgaria national football team Manolov featured in 57 games and won a bronze medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics. Between 1948 and 1962 he played in 239 matches and scored 8 goals for CSKA Sofia...
, Dimitar Cvetkov, Nikola Aleksiev, Nako Chakmakov (captain),
Dimitar MilanovDimitar Milanov Stoyanov was a Bulgarian international footballer who played as a striker for CSKA Sofia. Milanov earned 39 caps for Bulgaria, scoring 20 goals, between 1948 and 1959, and he competed at the 1952 Summer Olympics and 1956 Summer Olympics.-References:...
, Stoyne Minev,
Stefan BozhkovStefan Bozhilov Stefanov is a former Bulgarian football player and coach.During his club career he played for PFC CSKA Sofia. Bozhkov won the top Bulgarian league, the A PFG, a ten times , as well as the Bulgarian Cup, three times...
, Nikola Bozhilov, and Kiril Bogdanov. Goalscorers:
Dimitar MilanovDimitar Milanov Stoyanov was a Bulgarian international footballer who played as a striker for CSKA Sofia. Milanov earned 39 caps for Bulgaria, scoring 20 goals, between 1948 and 1959, and he competed at the 1952 Summer Olympics and 1956 Summer Olympics.-References:...
(2) and Nako Chakmakov (1). It was an emotional 3:1 victory, sealed by Nako Chakmakov with a last-minute goal, giving Septemvri pri CDV its first championship title.
In 1950, the definition of "Narodna" (Peoples) was added to the name of the Central House of the Troops, changing it to Central House of the People's Troops (Centralen Dom na Narodnata Voiska), or C.D.N.V. for short, effectively changing the club's name as well. The following two years, C.D.N.V. won two titles in a row. In 1951, the Army club clinched their first double. In
1953-League standings:-References:*...
, the club was renamed by the authorities again, this time to "Otbor na Sofiyskiya Garnizon" (Team of the Sofia Garrison), and most of the key players were illegally transferred out. The title was lost undeservedly. The following year, the club was renamed to CDNA (Central House of the People's Army), and the years between 1954 and 1962 marked one of the most successful periods for The Reds, who won 9 consecutive championship titles, an unprecedented achievement in Bulgarian football to this day.
1960s
In 1962, CDNA was united with DSO "Cherveno Zname" to form CSKA "Cherveno Zname" (Central Sports Club of the Army "Red Flag"). The Central House of the People's Troops ceased its affiliation with the club, which was taken over by the Ministry of People's Defense. CSKA finished third after Spartak Plovdiv and
Botev PlovdivPFC Botev Plovdiv , is the oldest Bulgarian football club from the city of Plovdiv, which currently competes in Bulgaria's second football league, the B PFG....
in the
1962-63-League standings:-References:*...
season. The following
season-League standings:-References:*...
, CSKA had its worst performance in the Bulgarian championship to date, finishing 11
th in the final table. The famous coach of the Army Men,
Krum MilevKrum Milev was a Bulgarian football player and manager.He played for Botev Sofia, Slavia Sofia and Lokomotiv Sofia. He obtained 18 caps with Bulgaria.He was the topscorer of the Bulgarian National Football Division 1937-38....
, was released after the end of the championship. CSKA did not recapture the title until
1966-League standings:-References:*...
. During the
1966-67-League standings:-References:*...
season, CSKA reached the semi finals of the European Cup, where after two 1:1 draws with Inter Milano, a third match was played which CSKA lost 0:1. The next two seasons were again unaccomplishing for The Army Men, as they finished in fifth and second place consecutively. CSKA was again joined with
Septemvri SofiaFC Septemvri is a Bulgarian football club from the city of Sofia, currently playing in the Sofia Regional Football Group, known as the A OFG. Its home matches take place at Septemvri Stadium and the 57th Public School's FIFA-certified football field...
in 1968, and the club took on the name of CSKA "Septemvriysko Zname" (CSKA "September's Flag"). The team clinched the title in
1968-69-Overview:It was contested by 16 teams, and CSKA Septemvriysko zname Sofia won the championship.-League standings:-References:*...
with the help of recent acquisition
Petar ZhekovPetar Petrov Zhekov is a former Bulgarian football player, who won the silver medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics.Zhekov was born in Knizhovnik, Haskovo Province, and began his career in F.C. Dimitrovgrad. Later he moved to Beroe Stara Zagora, where he twice became Bulgaria's top goalscorer. Between...
, who won the Golden Shoe as the top goalscorer in Bulgaria.
1970s
From 1971 to 1973, CSKA won three consecutive titles and eliminated three-times European champion AFC Ajax 2:1 on aggregate (0:1 and 2:0) in the 1973–74 European Cup. In the 1/4 finals, the Army Men lost 1:4 to Bayern Munich in the first leg in Germany and bowed out of the competition after winning 2:1 at home. Between 1975 and 1979, the club won two more titles.
1980s
Season
1980-81-Overview:It was contested by 16 teams, and CSKA Septemvriysko zname Sofia won the championship.-League standings:-References:*...
was again a memorable one for CSKA Sofia, winning the Bulgarian championship once more and twice beating European champion Nottingham Forest, both times with 1:0, before being stopped by the future European Champion Liverpool FC with a 6:1 on aggregate in the quarter finals of the European Cup. The very next season, CSKA reached their second European Cup semi final in a row, eliminating Spanish champions
Real SociedadReal Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
,
Glentoran F.C.Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
, and reigning European Champion
LiverpoolLiverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
after losing 0:1 in England and wining 2:0 at home with two goals by
Stoycho MladenovStoycho Mladenov is a Bulgarian former football player and as of recently the manager of ENPPI Club.-Career:...
. In the semi final, the Reds again faced Bayern Munich. The first leg was held in Sofia and started with a full dominance over Bayern, as by the 18
th minute CSKA were leading 3:0 in front of 85 000 spectators who saw the European final in their dreams. But the final result was 4:3 for CSKA. In Munich, the club suffered a 4:0 defeat and left the competition. In the domestic championship, CSKA did not let go of the title until the
1984-85-League standings:-References:*...
season, where they fell in second behind Levski, but managed to reach the
Bulgarian CupThe Bulgarian Cup is a Bulgarian annual football competition. It is the country's main cup competition and all officially registered Bulgarian football teams take part in it. It is sponsored by the Bulgarian Corporate Commercial Bank....
final.
The 1985 disbandment
On June 18, 1985, the final for the Bulgarian Cup was held at the
Vasil Levski National StadiumVasil Levski National Stadium , named after Bulgarian national hero Vasil Levski, is one of Bulgaria's largest sports venues and the country's second largest stadium...
between arch rivals CSKA and Levski. The match was marked by many disputable referee decisions and saw several brutal fights, including an assault on a referee by Levski's players. CSKA won the game 2:1 even though they had missed a penalty when the score was 2:0. By decree of the Central Committee of the
Bulgarian Communist PartyThe Bulgarian Communist Party was the communist and Marxist-Leninist ruling party of the People's Republic of Bulgaria from 1946 until 1990 when the country ceased to be a communist state...
, both teams were disbanded. CSKA was renamed Sredets and Levski was renamed Vitosha. Several players were banned from participating in official games for varying periods of time, including
Hristo StoichkovHristo Stoichkov Stoichkov , sometimes Stoitchkov; born 8 February 1966 in Plovdiv) is a retired Bulgarian footballer. He is regarded as one of the best footballers of his generation and the greatest Bulgarian footballer of all time. Nicknamed The Dagger , The Dog , The Modern Left...
and
Kostadin YanchevKostadin Yanchev is a Bulgarian former footballer who played at both professional and international levels as a midfielder.-Career:...
from CSKA. One year later, the committee's decision was reversed and the players were reinstated.
As Sredets, the club finished in fourth place in
1985-86-League standings:-References:*...
. In 1987, to the name of the club was added the abbreviation of CFKA, effectively renaming it to CFKA Sredets (Central Football Club Of The Army Sredets), and the following three years were marked by a formidable performance, even as
Septemvri SofiaFC Septemvri is a Bulgarian football club from the city of Sofia, currently playing in the Sofia Regional Football Group, known as the A OFG. Its home matches take place at Septemvri Stadium and the 57th Public School's FIFA-certified football field...
ended their 20-year partnership with CFKA in 1988 and became an independent club again. Coached by
Dimitar PenevDimitar Penev is a Bulgarian football coach and former player and central defender of CSKA Sofia. He played 90 games for Bulgaria national football team and scored 2 goals. He is regarded as one of his country's best ever defenders, winning Bulgarian footballer of the year in 1967 and 1971, he...
, CFKA won the title in 1987 and 1989 and reached the
UEFA Cup Winners’ CupThe UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
semi finals against
FC BarcelonaFutbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
in 1989. In reaching this stage, CFKA had eliminated
Roda JC after penalty kicks following a 2:1 win at home and a 1:2 loss away. Barcelona, coached by former Dutch international Johan Cruijff, won both matches (4:2 in Bulgaria and 2:1 in Spain) and CFKA were eliminated, but Cruijff did notice the talent of
Hristo StoichkovHristo Stoichkov Stoichkov , sometimes Stoitchkov; born 8 February 1966 in Plovdiv) is a retired Bulgarian footballer. He is regarded as one of the best footballers of his generation and the greatest Bulgarian footballer of all time. Nicknamed The Dagger , The Dog , The Modern Left...
and decided to draw him to Barcelona the following year, effectively launching Stoichkov's international career.
1990s
The name CSKA was restored for the
1989-90-League standings:-References:*...
season and the club won the title again. In March 1991,
Valentin MihovValentin Mihov is a former Bulgarian football player and administrator. He is a former president of the Bulgarian Football Union and the Bulgarian Professional Football League .- Biography :...
was chosen as president of CSKA. The club bought some of the most talented Bulgarian players, including
Yordan LetchkovYordan Letchkov is a former Bulgarian footballer and the current mayor of Sliven. He is generally regarded as one of the best players to come out of Bulgaria and was a key member of the squad which reached the semi-finals of the 1994 World Cup Finals...
,
Ivaylo AndonovIvaylo Viktorov Andonov is a former Bulgarian footballer, who played as a striker.-Football career:After beginning professionally with hometown's PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad, Andonov made a name for himself at CSKA Sofia, constantly being one of the first division topscorers, while also being...
,
Stoycho StoilovStoycho Stoilov is a retired Bulgarian football midfielder. He is currently employed as the technical director of Litex Lovech....
among others. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense concluded their cooperation with the club. Despite numerous problems the club had with veterans, army officials, and fans that season, CSKA won the title again in 1992. They were later eliminated in the first round of the Champions League by
Austria ViennaFußballklub Austria Wien is an Austrian association football club from the capital city of Vienna. They are considered the most successful club in Austria, having won the highest Austrian Bundesliga 23 times, the Austrian Cup 27 times and the Austrian Supercup 6 times. They also reached the UEFA...
after losing 1:3 in Vienna and winning 3:2 in Sofia. In the meantime, Valentin Mihov became president of the
Bulgarian Football UnionThe Bulgarian Football Union is a football association based in Bulgaria and a member of UEFA. It organizes a football league, Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, and fields its Bulgaria national football team in UEFA and FIFA -authorised competitions.A legal entity that it claims descent...
and Petar Kalpakchiev was chosen as president of CSKA. Kalpakchiev wrangled with the club's administration over their decisions to replace several coaches, one of which was
Gjoko HadžievskiGjoko Hadžievski is a football coach from the Republic of Macedonia who currently coaching Macedonia national football team.He played for Teteks and Pelister....
, considered to be leading the club in the right direction, and eventually Kalpakchiev was fired. The owner of the
MultigroupMultigroup is a business conglomerate in Bulgaria mostly known for its alleged involvement in various scandals and organized crime. Its founder is the Bulgarian businessman Iliya Pavlov, who was its leader until his assassination on March 7, 2003...
conglomerate,
Iliya PavlovIliya Pavlov Naydenov was a Bulgarian businessman. He was the leader and founder of the Multigroup organization, as well as of G-13....
, took over the chairman's position, but ultimately his sponsorship also proved insufficient to overcome the club's ineffective management. Five coaches were changed in just one season, with Tsvetan Yonchev being coach for just one day. In Europe, CSKA beat
Juventus F.C.Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
3:2 in the first round of the 1994–95 UEFA Cup, but the result was annulled by UEFA because of the delayed player-indexing of
Petar MihtarskiPetar Sotirov Mihtarski is a retired Bulgarian footballer who played as a striker.-Club career:Born in Blagoevgrad, Mihtarski spent the first 13 years of his career with local FC Pirin, making his first-team - and first division - debuts in 1982–83, appearing in eight games and scoring four goals...
. Juventus were awarded a 3:0 victory. In the second leg in
TorinoTurin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, with the consequences of that decision hanging over them, CSKA succumbed to a 5:1 defeat.
In the summer of 1995, CSKA made a strong selection and eventually the club included half of the youth national football team of Bulgaria.
Plamen MarkovPlamen Markov is a retired Bulgarian international footballer who played as a midfielder.He played for the Bulgaria national football team on 32 occasions. His club career was spent with CSKA Sofia , FC Metz and Grenoble Foot .-References:...
was appointed coach, but after a disappointing first half of the season, he was replaced by
Georgi VasilevGeorgi Vasilev , nicknamed Gocheto and Generala, is a former Bulgarian footballer who played as a midfielder, and a current football manager...
, who had previously won three Bulgarian titles (one with
FC Etar Veliko TarnovoFC Etar is a Bulgarian professional football club based in Veliko Tarnovo. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the East B PFG, the second tier of professional football in Bulgaria....
and two with Levski Sofia). Vasilev managed to win a double with CSKA for the
1996-1997-League standings:-References:*...
season, entering the second qualifying round of the Champions League against Steaua Bucharest. After a dramatic 3:3 in Romania, CSKA fell 0:2 at home. Vasilev was unexpectedly released from the club at the beginning of the second half of the
1997-98-League standings:-References:*...
season after a 3:0 win over
PFC Spartak PlevenPFC Spartak Pleven is a Bulgarian football club from Pleven founded in 1919. The team's greatest achievements are the Bulgarian Cup final in 1957 and the third place in the Bulgarian Championship the following season. The team went bankrupt in January 2009 and officially ceased existence in June...
. Coach Petar Zehtinski took his place. That year, the club saw the return of
Hristo StoichkovHristo Stoichkov Stoichkov , sometimes Stoitchkov; born 8 February 1966 in Plovdiv) is a retired Bulgarian footballer. He is regarded as one of the best footballers of his generation and the greatest Bulgarian footballer of all time. Nicknamed The Dagger , The Dog , The Modern Left...
,
Emil KostadinovEmil Lubtchov Kostadinov is a former Bulgarian football striker, former member of the Bulgaria national team for which he played in two World Cups. He shares his birthdate with another legendary Bulgarian footballer Dimitar Nikolov Yakimov...
, and
Trifon IvanovTrifon Marinov Ivanov is a former Bulgarian international football player.Sometimes known by his nickname "The Bulgarian Wolf" due to his unshaven appearance and mullet hairstyle, Ivanov started his career with the team Etar of Veliko Tarnovo...
, but the three of them argued for the captain's band. Stoichkov played in just four matches and left CSKA right before the derby with Levski to play for a club in
Saudi ArabiaThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
. After the end of the season, Trifon Ivanov also left the club. CSKA finished the season in third place.
In the summer of 1998, Dimitar Penev took the lead as coach for a second time. CSKA reached the second round of the UEFA Cup, and won the Bulgarian Cup, but disappointed in the domestic league, finishing in fifth place in
1998-99- Final table :* Metalurg Pernik relegated by Bulgarian Football Union for match fixing* Litex and Levski three points deducted for winning fixed matches against Metalurg...
. That season, the young talents of
Martin PetrovMartin Petyov Petrov is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League.-Club career:Petrov began his career for Botev Vratsa...
, Stilian Petrov,
Dimitar BerbatovDimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
, and
Vladimir ManchevVladimir Manchev is a Bulgarian football player, who currently plays for Lokomotiv Sofia.-Career:...
started to play a bigger role in the team. There were problems with player-indexing due to some unpaid obligations to
FC NeftohimikPFC Naftex Burgas is a former football club from Burgas, Bulgaria.-History:The club was created in 1962 by a group of workers, laying the foundations of the future Petroleum Refinery Neftochim, which had not yet been named. The team startеd in A regional group under the name of Stroitel. The...
. In the domestic championship, CSKA had only 16 players registered for the
1999-00-League standings:-Top goalscorers:20 goals Mihail Mihaylov 19 goals Svetoslav Todorov 16 goals Plamen Timnev -References:...
season and some un-indexed players took part in official UEFA games. Consequently, at the shareholders meeting at the end of 1999, the club ownership was transferred to businessman Vasil Bozhkov, who became majority owner.
2000s
After the first two rounds in the spring half of 2000,
Dimitar PenevDimitar Penev is a Bulgarian football coach and former player and central defender of CSKA Sofia. He played 90 games for Bulgaria national football team and scored 2 goals. He is regarded as one of his country's best ever defenders, winning Bulgarian footballer of the year in 1967 and 1971, he...
was relieved as coach because of the consecutive losses and in his place was appointed
Georgi DimitrovGeorgi Dimitrov is a former Bulgarian football defender. He was capped 77 times for Bulgaria, scoring 6 goals.-External links:* *...
– Dzheki, who was later replaced by
Spas DzhevizovSpas Dzhevizov is a football former forward.For the Bulgaria national football team Dzhevizov featured in 20 games and scored 3 goals. Between 1976 and 1984 he played in 205 matches and scored 96 goals for CSKA Sofia...
. After a 1:1 draw with Pirin at Bulgarian Army Stadium, Dzhevizov handed in his resignation and Alexander Stankov took his place. Even though at times CSKA had fallen as far as 9 points behind the leaders Levski, the club shortened the difference to only 2 points before the decisive match for the title at
Georgi Asparuhov StadiumGeorgi Asparuhov Stadium , also known as Gerena , is a football stadium situated in the Suhata reka neighbourhood of the Bulgarian capital Sofia. It has been the home of PFC Levski Sofia since 1963....
. CSKA dominated Levski for most of the match, as
Dimitar BerbatovDimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
made several serious misses, but a last-minute goal from
Georgi IvanovGeorgi Ivanov, nicknamed Gonzo , born 2 July 1976 in Plovdiv), is a former Bulgarian football striker who is the current manager of FC Levski Sofia...
secured the title for Levski. In the summer of 2000, Italian coach Enrico Catuzzi was employed as head coach, who did manage to revive the team. But even though the Army Men played attractive games under his leadership, Catuzzi handed over the coach position in the winter, citing family problems. Alexander Stankov was appointed as coach again, but was replaced by Catuzzi again after two losses from
LitexPFC Litex Lovech or simply Litex is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Lovech, which currently competes in the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, the top division of Bulgarian football...
for the cup and the championship. The Reds finished second, seven points behind Levski.
For the new
2001-02-First stage:-Top 6 Group:-Bottom 8 Group:-Top goalscorers:21 goals Vladimir Manchev 18 goals Todor Kolev 17 goals Stoyko Sakaliev ...
season, coach was
Asparuh NikodimovAsparuh "Paro" Donev Nikodimov is a former Bulgarian football player and later coach.He represented Bulgaria at the FIFA World Cups in 1970 and 1974.-References:...
. He was fired during the winter break as CSKA rested 2 points behind Levski and was replaced by another Italian,
Luigi SimoniLuigi "Gigi" Simoni is an Italian football manager, currently in office with Gubbio of Serie B, and a former player.-Biography:Luigi Simoni was born at Crevalcore ....
. Simoni failed to make CSKA champions as the club finished third and lost the Bulgarian Cup final to Levski. Simoni left at the end of the season.
In the summer of 2002,
Stoycho MladenovStoycho Mladenov is a Bulgarian former football player and as of recently the manager of ENPPI Club.-Career:...
was appointed as coach. With him, the team set a record with 13 consecutive wins in 13 matches in the Bulgarian Championship and CSKA became champions for the first time since 1997. However, Mladenov was fired the following season after losing to
GalatasarayGalatasaray Anonim Şirketi is a Turkish football club, part of the Galatasaray S.K. multi-sport club of Istanbul. Galatasaray is a major sports club in Turkey, holding 17 Turkish Super League titles and the highest number of Turkish Cups....
in the preliminary rounds of the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League and after giving a less than impressive performance in the first round of the
UEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
, where the club lost on penalty kicks to
FC Torpedo MoscowFC Torpedo Moscow is an association football club, based in Moscow, Russia. The club was founded in 1930. On March 19, 2009 it was denied membership of the Professional Football League and did not play in the professional competitions in 2009...
. Immediately after, two of the new arrivals,
Leo Lima Leonardo Lima da Silva or simply Léo Lima , is a Brazilian attacking midfielder who currently plays for Al-Nasr SC.-Honours:*South American Under-17 Championship: 1999*FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1999...
and
Rodrigo SousaRodrigo de Souza Cardoso, or better known as Souza , is a Brazilian football player. He currently plays for Bahia on loan from Corinthians.-Flamengo:...
, bought for 3 million dollars the year before, left the club on the grounds that they had not received two monthly salaries.
FIFAThe Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
decided that they had the right to leave and that CSKA had to pay them and return the players to their former club of Vasco da Gama. Alexander Stankov was temporarily appointed as coach until the winter break, when
Ferario SpasovFerario "Fero" Spasov is Bulgarian football coach and manager.-Managerial career:He has been manager of Litex Lovech and CSKA Sofia.- References :...
officially took over the position. In the end of 2004, Spasov was replaced by Serbian coach
Miodrag JešićMiodrag Ješić is a Serbian football manager and a former footballer. He is the current Head coach of Shahrdari Tabriz.-Playing:...
, despite the team's first place in the domestic championship. Despite problems with the selection, CSKA won their record thirtieth domestic title in 2005.
For the 2005–06 UEFA Champions League, after eliminating KF Tirana in the second preliminary round, CSKA were paired against reigning European champions Liverpool. The club lost 1:3 in the first match in Sofia, but surprisingly won the second leg by 1:0 at Anfield Road.
For the UEFA Cup, the Reds eliminated
Bayer LeverkusenBayer 04 Leverkusen is a German football club based in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia. It is the most well-known department of TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, a sports club whose members also participate in athletics, gymnastics, basketball and other sports.-Origins and early years:On 27 November...
(with
Dimitar BerbatovDimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
in the team) with two 1:0 wins and entered the group stage, where they finished fifth with 3 points from 4 matches and were eliminated. At the winter break of the
2005-06-League standings:-Top goalscorers:16 goals Milivoje Novakovič Jose Furtado 13 goals Martin Kamburov Saša Antunović ...
season, the team was first with 7 points ahead of Levski in the standings. During the spring, CSKA lost the 7-point advantage and finished second with 3 points behind Levski. Club president Vassil Bozhkov blamed Serbian coach
Miodrag JešićMiodrag Ješić is a Serbian football manager and a former footballer. He is the current Head coach of Shahrdari Tabriz.-Playing:...
for the failure to capture the title and fired him, while some supporters blamed Bozhkov instead.
Plamen MarkovPlamen Markov is a retired Bulgarian international footballer who played as a midfielder.He played for the Bulgaria national football team on 32 occasions. His club career was spent with CSKA Sofia , FC Metz and Grenoble Foot .-References:...
was appointed in Ješić's place. Bozhkov then announced that he would restrict the finances of the club and that during the upcoming season CSKA will not be aiming at the title. In December 2006, Bozhkov sold the club to Indian steel tycoon and owner of
Kremikovtzi ADKremikovtzi AD is Bulgaria's largest metalworking company. The construction of its facilities began on 5 November 1960 and the first production capacities were put into operation in 1963 to produce cast iron and coke, with production extending to cover other areas in the 1960s and 1970s...
, Pramod Mittal, brother of ArcelorMittal's
Lakshmi MittalLakshmi Narayan Mittal is an Indian steel magnate. He is the chairman and chief executive officer of ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steelmaking company....
. Former Bulgarian politician Alexander Tomov became president of the club and assured the supporters that CSKA would, in fact, be aiming at both the championship and the cup. After two draws in the beginning of the spring half of
2006-07- Final table :-Top goalscorers:27 goals Tsvetan Genkov 25 goals Todor Kolev 16 goals Eugen Trică Enyo Krastovchev 15 goals Valeri Domovchiyski ...
, CSKA found themselves 6 points behind Levski. As a result, coach Plamen Markov was replaced by
Stoycho MladenovStoycho Mladenov is a Bulgarian former football player and as of recently the manager of ENPPI Club.-Career:...
, who returned to the club after three and a half years. CSKA finished second.
In the beginning of the
2007-08The 2007-08 season in the Bulgarian A PFG started in mid August 2007.The defending champion was Levski Sofia. Clubs that were promoted from the B PFG were Chernomorets Burgas, Pirin Blagoevgrad and Vidima-Rakovski Sevlievo....
season, CSKA bought players for more than 2 million euro. The team was unluckily eliminated from the
UEFA cupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
in the first round by French side
Toulouse FCToulouse Football Club is a French association football club based in the city of Toulouse. The club was founded in 1970 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Toulouse plays its home matches at the Stadium Municipal located within the city. The first team is managed by...
after a 96
th-minute goal from
André-Pierre GignacAndré-Pierre Gignac is a French professional football player who currently plays for French club Marseille in Ligue 1. He primarily plays as a striker whose influence can extend out to the wings. Gignac is described as a "powerful and dangerous" striker who is known for his "aerial presence"...
in the second leg. CSKA was also eliminated from the
Bulgarian CupThe Bulgarian Cup is a Bulgarian annual football competition. It is the country's main cup competition and all officially registered Bulgarian football teams take part in it. It is sponsored by the Bulgarian Corporate Commercial Bank....
at the 1/16
th finals by Lokomotiv Plovdiv. The match was engulfed in a scandal because of three CSKA players who at the time were on loan at Lokomotiv (
Stoyko SakalievStoyko Sakaliev is a Bulgarian footballer who currently plays for Neftochimic Burgas as a forward.- Career :Sakaliev was born in Sofia. His first team was Naftex Burgas, where he rose to prominence as a quality forward, but he also spent some time on loan at Naftex Burgas...
,
Aleksandar BranekovAleksandar Branekov is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for Vidima-Rakovski Sevlievo as a defender. He was raised in CSKA Sofia's youth teams....
, and
Ivan IvanovIvan Ivanov is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for Serbian club FK Partizan Belgrade. He is a centre-back who started his career playing as a left-back.-Early career:...
). The players had clauses in their contracts restricting them from playing matches against CSKA, but Lokomotiv's management used the players anyway. At the end of the season, the Army Men secured the title in advance, finishing 16 points ahead of second-placed Levski. On May 5, 2008, the club marked its 60
th anniversary with big celebrations organized by the management. An alley of fame was built, comprising the names of the most successful current and former players of CSKA. On May 24, 2008, an exhibition game was played between the current squad and a mixed team of Bulgarian and foreign football stars. The mixed team was coached by former German international
Lothar MatthäusLothar Herbert Matthäus , is a German football manager and former player.In 1990, he was named European Footballer of the Year and World Soccer Player of the Year after captaining West Germany to victory in the 1990 World Cup...
, who was a special guest for the anniversary celebrations. The match ended 6:6.
The 2008 crisis
In June 2008, only days after CSKA won its 31
st title,
UEFAThe Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
notified the
Bulgarian Football UnionThe Bulgarian Football Union is a football association based in Bulgaria and a member of UEFA. It organizes a football league, Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, and fields its Bulgaria national football team in UEFA and FIFA -authorised competitions.A legal entity that it claims descent...
that the club would not receive a license for participating in the UEFA Champion's League because of unpaid obligations.
The BFU then speculated that this could also result in CSKA not being able to take part in the domestic championship, effectively turning it into an amateur club. Attempts to arrange a settlement with UEFA proved unsuccessful and CSKA lost its right to compete in the UEFA Champions League in favor of runners-up
PFC Levski Sofia"Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia .PFC Levski Sofia, otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria...
.
The person widely blamed for the crisis was president Alexander Tomov, who resigned shortly after and was arrested and sued for embezzling millions of
levsThe lev is the currency of Bulgaria. It is divided in 100 stotinki . In archaic Bulgarian the word "lev" meant "lion".It is speculated that Bulgaria, as a member of the European Union will adopt the Euro in 2015 .- First lev, 1881–1952 :...
from CSKA and
Kremikovtzi ADKremikovtzi AD is Bulgaria's largest metalworking company. The construction of its facilities began on 5 November 1960 and the first production capacities were put into operation in 1963 to produce cast iron and coke, with production extending to cover other areas in the 1960s and 1970s...
.
The problems with the license exposed the club's weak financial situation and led to chaos and panic, prompting many of the key players to flee, including coach
Stoycho MladenovStoycho Mladenov is a Bulgarian former football player and as of recently the manager of ENPPI Club.-Career:...
himself, who left saying he was not happy with the fire sale of so many important players. The future of CSKA looked grim, its status as a professional club hanging in the balance. In the midst of the crisis,
Dimitar PenevDimitar Penev is a Bulgarian football coach and former player and central defender of CSKA Sofia. He played 90 games for Bulgaria national football team and scored 2 goals. He is regarded as one of his country's best ever defenders, winning Bulgarian footballer of the year in 1967 and 1971, he...
was given the coach's job for the third time and burdened with the task of saving the club. With almost all senior players gone, Penev was left to rely on members of the CSKA youth squad. Ultimately, CSKA managed to fulfill all licensing requirements set by the BFU and was allowed to compete in the A PFG.
Despite all the difficulties, and to the surprise of the whole football community, Penev's young squad claimed the Bulgarian Super Cup in August 2008, overcoming
PFC Litex LovechPFC Litex Lovech or simply Litex is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Lovech, which currently competes in the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, the top division of Bulgarian football...
by 1:0.
2008–2009
At the begging of the
2008-09The 2008–09 season of A PFG was the eighty-fifth season of top-tier football in Bulgaria. It began on 9 August 2008 and ended on 13 June 2009...
season, the club managed to strengthen their ranks by signing Bulgarian internationals
Zdravko LazarovZdravko Lazarov is a Bulgarian football player, currently playing for Lokomotiv Plovdiv, captain of the team. He is also assistant manager of Hristo Bonev....
and
Vladimir ManchevVladimir Manchev is a Bulgarian football player, who currently plays for Lokomotiv Sofia.-Career:...
. On December 24, 2008, owner Pramod Mittal announced that he had signed a preliminary contract with a local investor to sell the club.
The deal was finalized on March 6, 2009, and the ownership of the club was transferred to Titan Sport EAD, a subsidiary of Bulgarian waste management company Titan AS.
Meanwhile, coach Dimitar Penev was replaced by his nephew, Lyuboslav Penev, who set aggressive goals for the club.
After having led the league for most of the season, CSKA finished the championship in second place, one point behind arch rivals Levski.
2009–2010
In 2009, CSKA earned a place in the UEFA Europa League's group stage after defeating
FC Dynamo MoscowDynamo Moscow is a Russian football club based in Moscow, currently playing in the Russian Premier League. Dynamo's traditional kit colours are blue and white...
in the qualifying round and drew
A.S. RomaAssociazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
,
FC BaselFussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the...
, and
Fulham F.C.Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
in the group.
The first match was against Fulham in Sofia, where CSKA took the lead thanks to a beautiful goal by newly signed Brazilian
Michel PlatiniMichel Platini Ferreira Mesquita or simply Michel Platini is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia as a forward...
. However, a simple goalkeeper mistake at the end of the match allowed Fulham to score, ending the game in a 1:1 draw. Despite the strong start, CSKA did not manage to earn any more points in the group and exited the competition at fourth place.
In November 2009, coach
Luboslav Penev threatened to resign following a squabble with the club's management after they had reversed his decision to reprimand several players for disciplinary reasons, but decided to carry on with the job. Their disagreements eventually boiled over in January 2010 and the board relieved Penev of the position.
Reports in the press pointed to former CSKA coach
Miodrag JešićMiodrag Ješić is a Serbian football manager and a former footballer. He is the current Head coach of Shahrdari Tabriz.-Playing:...
as a possible replacement, but even though Ješić expressed a desire to come back to CSKA, his current contract with
LibyaLibya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
n club Alittihad Tripoli S.C. ruled him out.
On January 17, the club retained Romanian specialist
Ioan AndoneIoan Andone is a Romanian football coach and former player.-Career:He made his Divizia A debut with Corvinul Hunedoara in 1979. He later went to Dinamo Bucureşti where he helped win the league title in 1984 and 1990 and the cup title in 1984, 1986 and 1990. In 1990 he was bought by Spanish team...
as coach.
Andone brought two Romanian players with him and set out to overhaul the team.
But over the next six matches, CSKA won only two games, drew archrival Levski 0:0, and lost the second place to Lokomotiv Sofia. On March 30, after two months on the job, Andone resigned citing family reasons.
Former CSKA defender
Adalbert ZafirovAdalbert Zafirov is a former Bulgarian football defender and current manager of Kaliakra Kavarna.-International career:...
was put in his place.
At the same time, the club turned to
Dimitar PenevDimitar Penev is a Bulgarian football coach and former player and central defender of CSKA Sofia. He played 90 games for Bulgaria national football team and scored 2 goals. He is regarded as one of his country's best ever defenders, winning Bulgarian footballer of the year in 1967 and 1971, he...
again, naming him supervisor of the coaching staff.
Despite the tumultuous second half of the season, CSKA managed to finish at second place in the table, behind champions Litex, and prepared to enter the third qualifying round of the Europa League.
2010–2011
Preparing for their upcoming European campaign, in the summer of 2010 the club hired Bulgarian specialist Pavel Dochev as coach, who embarked on a recruiting spree in order to strengthen the ranks. The most notable additions to the squad were
AlgerianThe Algeria national football team , nicknamed الأفنــاك, Les Fennecs , represents Algeria in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Algérienne de Football. Algeria's home ground is the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers and their head coach is Vahid Halilhodžić.Algeria has qualified...
national goalkeeper Raïs M'Bolhi from Slavia Sofia and
IrishThe Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
international striker
Cillian SheridanCillian Sheridan is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a forward for St. Johnstone on loan from CSKA Sofia. Sheridan is an international for the Republic of Ireland...
from Celtic FC.
Other newcomers included former
GhanaThe Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
international
William TieroWilliam Kwabena Tiero is a Ghanaian football player who currently plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Qadisiyah FC.On 6 March 2011, he made his debut for Olhanense, coming on as a last minute substitute in the 0:0 away draw with Vitória F.C.....
, Dutchman
Gregory NelsonGregory Nelson is a Dutch professional footballer who currently plays for CSKA Sofia. Nelson plays as a winger and is 1.78 m tall.-Career:...
, and four Italians:
Giuseppe AquaroGiuseppe Aquaro is an Italian football defender who plays for German club Karlsruher SC in the 2. Bundesliga.-Career:Aquaro played in his country for Foggia Calcio and A.S. Melfi, before signed with Swiss side AC Bellinzona in 2005....
,
Christian TiboniChristian Tiboni is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for U.S. Foggia.-Career:Christian began his career at Atalanta as a youth player. Christian made one Serie B appearance for Atalanta during the 2005–2006 season, and his potential later persuaded Udinese to buy half of his...
,
Marco EspositoMarco Esposito is an Italian footballer who plays for Portogruaro.Esposito started his career at Meda of Serie D. He won promotion with the club and played a full Serie C2 season. In summer 2000, he joined Cittadella of Serie B. He followed the team relegated to Serie C1 in summer 2002...
, and
Fabrizio GrilloFabrizio Grillo is an Italian football player. He is a defender.- External links :...
. After some bad results, including a 0-1 loss against rival Levski Sofia in the Eternal Derby and a 1-2 loss against
Chernomorets BurgasChernomorets Burgas may refer to:* PFC Chernomorets Burgas* PFC Chernomorets Burgas Sofia...
, Dochev was fired from the club. His place was taken by the unknown Macedonian manager
Gjore JovanovskiGjorgje "Gjore" Jovanovski is a Macedonian football manager and former player....
, who kept his job for just 3 months, before being replaced by his assistant
Milen RadukanovMilen Radukanov is a former Bulgarian footballer, who currently manages Botev Plovdiv.-CSKA Sofia:In 2010 he was appointed as CSKA Sofia's assistant coach and interpreter for the Romanian head coach - Ioan Andone. Because of that fact he is known as the "Bulgarian Jose Mourinho"...
due to unsatisfying results. Radukanov brought a sudden change to the club, bringing CSKA back to the winning road and eventually claiming the
Bulgarian CupThe Bulgarian Cup is a Bulgarian annual football competition. It is the country's main cup competition and all officially registered Bulgarian football teams take part in it. It is sponsored by the Bulgarian Corporate Commercial Bank....
at the end of the season.
2011-2012
Radukanov announced his ambitions of a title by bringing top forwards
Ianis ZicuIanis Alin Zicu is a Romanian football midfielder who currently plays for Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia.- Dinamo Bucureşti :...
and Junior Moraes to the club. Zicu, who was the top goalscorer of the Romanian Liga I the previous season, joined the club for 500 000 € from FC Timisoara, while Moraes was signed on a free transfer. He then signed the club's former goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi from Krylia Sovetov on loan. The first real test for CSKA was their Bulgarian Super Cup clash against league champions Litex Lovech, won by a 3-1 margin. The club continued with 8 straight victories in the league, but after a 1-2 defeat against Slavia Sofia and a 0-0 draw against
Cherno moreCherno More is the Bulgarian name of the Black Sea Cherno more may also refer to:* Cherno more — a village in the Burgas municipality, Burgas Province, Bulgaria...
Radukanov was fired by the chairman Dimitar Borisov. Club legend
Dimitar PenevDimitar Penev is a Bulgarian football coach and former player and central defender of CSKA Sofia. He played 90 games for Bulgaria national football team and scored 2 goals. He is regarded as one of his country's best ever defenders, winning Bulgarian footballer of the year in 1967 and 1971, he...
was appointed as manager with
Adalbert ZafirovAdalbert Zafirov is a former Bulgarian football defender and current manager of Kaliakra Kavarna.-International career:...
as his assistant.
Names
CSKA has carried a plethora of names throughout its history. In chronological order, they are as follows:
- Septemvri pri CDV , September at the Central House of the Troops in 1948 and 1948/49.
- Narodna Voiska , People's Troops in 1950.
- C.D.N.V. , Central House of the People's Troops in 1951 and 1952.
- Otbor na Sofiyskiya Garnizon , Team of the Sofia's garrison in 1953.
- CDNA , Central House of the People's Army from 1954 and until the 1961/62 season.
- CSKA "Cherveno zname" , CSKA "Red Flag" between 1962/63 and 1967/68.
- CSKA "Septemvriysko zname" , CSKA "September's flag" between 1968/69 and 1984/85.
- CFKA "Sredets" , Central Football Club of the Army "Sredets" from 1985/86 and until 1988/89
- CSKA , CSKA - Central Sports Club of the Army since 1989/90.
Bulgarian Army Stadium
The team's home stadium, Bulgarska Armia, was completed in 1967 and stands on the same spot as its predecessor, Athletic Park. It is situated in the
Borisova gradinaBorisova gradina or Knyaz-Borisova gradina is the oldest and best known park in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Its construction and arrangement began in 1884 and it is named after Bulgarian Tsar Boris III....
park, named after Bulgarian tsar Boris III, in the center of
SofiaSofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
. The stadium has four sectors with a total of 22,015 seats, of which 2,100 are covered. The pitch length is 106 meters and the width is 66 meters. The sports complex also includes tennis courts, a basketball court, and gymnastics facilities, as well as the CSKA Sofia Museum of Glory. The press conference room has 80 seats.
Supporters
According to many surveys, CSKA Sofia is one of the two most popular clubs in Bulgaria with around 180,000 organized supporters in 798 fan clubs around the world, including supporters from USA,
Republic of MacedoniaMacedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
, Spain, Austria, UK, Canada, Italy, Sweden, Greece, Germany, and almost every country in which there is a large number of Bulgarians. The official fan club was formed in 1990, which to date is the oldest one in the capital of Bulgaria.
Sector G, the main stand for the
ultrasUltras are a type of sports fans renowned for their fanatical support and elaborate displays. They are predominantly European followers of football teams...
of CSKA, is located at the north side of the stadium. Inside the sector, there are several supporter groups such as "14" (
SofiaSofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
), City Boys (
SofiaSofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
), Torcida Plovdiv 1999 (
PlovdivPlovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia with a population of 338,153 inhabitants according to Census 2011. Plovdiv's history spans some 6,000 years, with traces of a Neolithic settlement dating to roughly 4000 BC; it is one of the oldest cities in Europe...
), Proud ones 1999 (
SofiaSofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
), Ultra Separative Front 1997 (
SofiaSofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
),Boys Vidin (
VidinVidin is a port town on the southern bank of the Danube in northwestern Bulgaria. It is close to the borders with Serbia and Romania, and is also the administrative centre of Vidin Province, as well as of the Metropolitan of Vidin...
), Ariana Boys (
SofiaSofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
), Banda Sever (
SofiaSofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
), Lyulin Boys '99 (Lyulin), Ultra Front Vratsa (
VratsaVratsa is a city in northwestern Bulgaria, at the foothills of the Balkan Mountains. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous Vratsa Province. As of February 2011, the town has a population of 60,482 inhabitants....
), UCSH (
SamokovSamokov is a town in Sofia Province in the southwest of Bulgaria. It is situated in a kettle between the mountains Rila and Vitosha, 55 kilometres from the capital Sofia...
), SWCR (
RazlogRazlog is a town and ski resort in Razlog Municipality, Blagoevgrad Province in southwestern Bulgaria. It is situated in the Razlog Valley and was first mentioned during the reign of Byzantine emperor Basil II....
), and many others.
Domestic
Bulgarian Championship – 31 (record)
- 1948, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1965–66, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1996–97, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2007–08
Bulgarian Cup – 10
*1983, 1985, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1997,
1999The 1999 Bulgarian Cup Final was played at the Bulgarian Army Stadium in Sofia on May 26, 1999 and was contested between the sides of Litex Lovech and CSKA Sofia. The match was won by CSKA Sofia. Valentin Stanchev scored the winning goal in 82nd minute....
,
2006The 2006 Bulgarian Cup Final was the 83rd final of the Bulgarian Cup. The match took place on 25 May 2006 at Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia. The match was contested by CSKA Sofia, who beat Naftex Burgas 4–1 in their semi-final, and Cherno More Varna who beat Volov Shumen 2–1 after extra...
,
2011The 2011 Bulgarian Cup Final was the 88th final of the Bulgarian Cup. The match took place on 25 May 2011 at Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia. The match was contested by CSKA Sofia, who beat Litex Lovech 2–1 in their semi-final, and Slavia Sofia who beat Pirin Blagoevgrad 7–6 on penalties...
Cup of the Soviet Army – 13
- 1951, 1954, 1955, 1961, 1965, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990
Bulgarian Super Cup – 4 (record)
- 1989
The 1989 Bulgarian Supercup was the 1st Bulgarian Supercup match, a football match which was contested between the "A" professional football group champion, CSKA Sofia, and the runner-up of Bulgarian Cup, Chernomorets Burgas. The match was held on 1 August 1989 at the Chernomorets Stadium in...
, 2006The 2006 Bulgarian Supercup was the 4th Bulgarian Supercup match, a football match which was contested between the "A" professional football group champion, Levski Sofia, and the winner of Bulgarian Cup, CSKA Sofia. The match was held on 30 July 2006 at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia,...
, 2008The 2008 Bulgarian Supercup was the 6th Bulgarian Supercup match, a football match which was contested between the "A" professional football group champion, CSKA Sofia, and the winner of Bulgarian Cup, Litex Lovech. The match was held on 3 August 2008 at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia,...
, 2011The 2011 Bulgarian Supercup was the 9th Bulgarian Supercup match, a football match which was contested between the "A" professional football group champion, Litex Lovech, and the winner of the Bulgarian Cup, CSKA Sofia. The match was held on 30 July 2011 at the Lazur Stadium in Burgas,...
European
UEFA European Cup/Champions League
- 1/2 Final - 1966–67, 1981–82
- 1/4 Final - 1956–57, 1973–74, 1980–81, 1989–90
UEFA Cup/Europa League
- 1/16 Final - 1998-99
- Group stage - 2005-06, 2009–10, 2010-11
UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup
Biggest win in European tournaments:
- UEFA Champions League - 8:1 in 1956–57 vs FC Dinamo Bucuresti
- UEFA Cup - 8:0 in 2000–01 vs Constructorul
FC Tiraspol is a Moldovan football club based in Tiraspol, Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. They play in the Divizia Naţională, the top division in Moldovan football.- Current squad :As of 1st of August...
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup - 9:0 in 1970–71 vs FC Haka
Haka is a Finnish football club, based in the industry town of Valkeakoski. It is one of the most successful clubs in Finland, with nine Finnish championships and 12 Finnish Cup wins.- History :...
PFC CSKA Sofia in Europe
| Competition |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
/ European CupThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
|
25 |
98 |
41 |
16 |
41 |
140 |
144 |
– 4 |
UEFA Cup Winners' CupThe UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
/ European Cup Winners' CupThe UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
|
5 |
22 |
12 |
0 |
10 |
49 |
29 |
20
| UEFA Europa League / UEFA Cup |
20 |
90 |
30 |
26 |
34 |
118 |
119 |
– 1 |
UEFA Intertoto CupThe UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
|
1 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
4 |
4
| Total |
51 |
214 |
85 |
43 |
86 |
315 |
296 |
+ 19 |
Current squad
As of 29 November 2011
Out on loan
For recent transfers, see the "Transfers" section of 2011–12 PFC CSKA Sofia season.
Board of directors
Current technical body
Notable players
All players listed are in the alley of fame of the club :
Bulgaria
- Ivaylo Andonov
Ivaylo Viktorov Andonov is a former Bulgarian footballer, who played as a striker.-Football career:After beginning professionally with hometown's PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad, Andonov made a name for himself at CSKA Sofia, constantly being one of the first division topscorers, while also being...
- Tsvetan Atanasov
Tsvetan Atanasov was a Bulgarian football player, playing as a central midfield. He played for CSKA Sofia form the spring of 1966 to the 1976 having 231 match and 36 goals for the A PFG...
- Krasimir Bezinski
Krasimir Bezinski is a former Bulgarian football player. He played as a defender or a defensive midfielder. In A PFG he had 302 matches and 17 goals...
- Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
- Stefan Bozhkov
Stefan Bozhilov Stefanov is a former Bulgarian football player and coach.During his club career he played for PFC CSKA Sofia. Bozhkov won the top Bulgarian league, the A PFG, a ten times , as well as the Bulgarian Cup, three times...
- Nikola Tsanev
- Nako Chakmakov
- Boris Gaganelov
Boris Atanasov Gaganelov is a former Bulgarian football player and later coach.Gaganelov made 51 appearances for the Bulgaria national football team. He represented Bulgaria at the FIFA World Cups in 1966 and 1970....
- Emil Gargorov
Emil Gargorov is a Bulgarian footballer, who plays as a winger or central midfielder. He currently plays for Ludogorets Razgrad.-Career:...
- Georgi Denev
Georgi Denev is a former Bulgarian football player and manager. Denev made 49 appearances and scored 10 goals for the Bulgaria national football team from 1970 to 1979...
- Spas Dzhevizov
Spas Dzhevizov is a football former forward.For the Bulgaria national football team Dzhevizov featured in 20 games and scored 3 goals. Between 1976 and 1984 he played in 205 matches and scored 96 goals for CSKA Sofia...
- Velizar Dimitrov
Velizar Dimitrov is a Bulgarian football player who, as of 2008 was playing for FC Metalurh Donetsk. He is a winger and his sharp dribling skills have made him an influential figure for PFC CSKA Sofia....
- Georgi Dimitrov
Georgi Dimitrov is a former Bulgarian football defender. He was capped 77 times for Bulgaria, scoring 6 goals.-External links:* *...
- Georgi N. Dimitrov
- Dinko Dimitrov
- Petar Zhekov
Petar Petrov Zhekov is a former Bulgarian football player, who won the silver medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics.Zhekov was born in Knizhovnik, Haskovo Province, and began his career in F.C. Dimitrovgrad. Later he moved to Beroe Stara Zagora, where he twice became Bulgaria's top goalscorer. Between...
- Ivan Zafirov
Ivan Georgiev Zafirov is a former Bulgarian football defender.After short spells at Sliven, it was with CSKA Sofia that he found his spiritual home in the 1970s. Zafirov, a right-back, played 340 times for the Reds, scoring 8 goals...
- Radoslav Zdravkov
Radoslav Metodiev Zdravkov is a retired Bulgarian footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.-Club career:During his professional career, which spanned nearly 20 years, Zdravkov represented PFC Lokomotiv Sofia , PFC CSKA Sofia , Portugal's G.D. Chaves , Sporting de Braga , F.C. Paços de...
- Trifon Ivanov
Trifon Marinov Ivanov is a former Bulgarian international football player.Sometimes known by his nickname "The Bulgarian Wolf" due to his unshaven appearance and mullet hairstyle, Ivanov started his career with the team Etar of Veliko Tarnovo...
- Georgi Iliev
- Tsvetan Yonchev
- Stoyan Yordanov
Stoyan Ivanov Yordanov is a Bulgarian former football goalkeeper.-CSKA Sofia:*A PFG**1961-62, 1965–66, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1974–75, 1975–76,*Bulgarian Cup** 1964-65, 1968–69, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74...
- Nikola Kovachev
Nikola Dimitrov Kovachev was a Bulgarian football player and manager.Kovachev played for Bulgaria at the 1956 and 1960 Summer Olympics.- References :...
- Bozhil Kolev
Bozhil Naydenov Kolev is a former Bulgarian football player and manager.Kolev made 60 appearances for the Bulgaria national football team from 1969 to 1978.-References:...
- Ivan Kolev
Ivan Petkov Kolev is a former Bulgarian football player and coach.He represented Bulgaria at the FIFA World Cups in 1962 and 1966, He also played for...
- Emil Kostadinov
Emil Lubtchov Kostadinov is a former Bulgarian football striker, former member of the Bulgaria national team for which he played in two World Cups. He shares his birthdate with another legendary Bulgarian footballer Dimitar Nikolov Yakimov...
- Manol Manolov
Manol Manolov was a football defender and manager.For the Bulgaria national football team Manolov featured in 57 games and won a bronze medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics. Between 1948 and 1962 he played in 239 matches and scored 8 goals for CSKA Sofia...
- Vladimir Manchev
Vladimir Manchev is a Bulgarian football player, who currently plays for Lokomotiv Sofia.-Career:...
- Dimitar Marashliev
Dimitar Marashliev is a Bulgarian football forward who played for Bulgaria in the 1970 FIFA World Cup. He also played for PFC CSKA Sofia.-External links:*...
- Plamen Markov
Plamen Markov is a retired Bulgarian international footballer who played as a midfielder.He played for the Bulgaria national football team on 32 occasions. His club career was spent with CSKA Sofia , FC Metz and Grenoble Foot .-References:...
- Dimitar Milanov
Dimitar Milanov Stoyanov was a Bulgarian international footballer who played as a striker for CSKA Sofia. Milanov earned 39 caps for Bulgaria, scoring 20 goals, between 1948 and 1959, and he competed at the 1952 Summer Olympics and 1956 Summer Olympics.-References:...
- Krum Milev
Krum Milev was a Bulgarian football player and manager.He played for Botev Sofia, Slavia Sofia and Lokomotiv Sofia. He obtained 18 caps with Bulgaria.He was the topscorer of the Bulgarian National Football Division 1937-38....
- Stoycho Mladenov
Stoycho Mladenov is a Bulgarian former football player and as of recently the manager of ENPPI Club.-Career:...
- Georgi Naydenov
Georgi Spirov Naydenov is a former Bulgarian football goalkeeper and former manager. He is considered the greatest Bulgarian goalkeeper for all time. Between 1955 and 1965 he played in 176 matches for CSKA Sofia. He was honoured as Bulgarian Footballer of the Year in 1961...
- Anatoli Nankov
Anatoli Aleksandrov Nankov is a Bulgarian former football midfielder.Nankov spent most of his career playing in the Bulgarian A PFG, but also had a spell with GKS Katowice...
- Asparuh Nikodimov
Asparuh "Paro" Donev Nikodimov is a former Bulgarian football player and later coach.He represented Bulgaria at the FIFA World Cups in 1970 and 1974.-References:...
- Stoyan Ormandzhiev
- Panayot Panayotov
Panayot Panayotov is a Bulgarian football forward who played for Bulgaria in the 1962 FIFA World Cup. He also played for CDNA.-External links:*...
- Dimitar Penev
Dimitar Penev is a Bulgarian football coach and former player and central defender of CSKA Sofia. He played 90 games for Bulgaria national football team and scored 2 goals. He is regarded as one of his country's best ever defenders, winning Bulgarian footballer of the year in 1967 and 1971, he...
- Lyuboslav Penev
- Martin Petrov
Martin Petyov Petrov is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League.-Club career:Petrov began his career for Botev Vratsa...
- Kiril Rakarov
Kiril Manolov Rakarov was a former Bulgarian football player.He represented Bulgaria at the 1956 Summer Olympics and the 1962 FIFA World Cup.-References:...
- Angel Rangelov
- Vasil Romanov
- Boris Stankov
- Kiril Stankov
- Hristo Stoichkov
Hristo Stoichkov Stoichkov , sometimes Stoitchkov; born 8 February 1966 in Plovdiv) is a retired Bulgarian footballer. He is regarded as one of the best footballers of his generation and the greatest Bulgarian footballer of all time. Nicknamed The Dagger , The Dog , The Modern Left...
- Gavril Stoyanov
- Lachezar Tanev
Lachezar Tanev is a retired Bulgarian football midfielder. Tanev has been a licensed FIFA players agent since 1995.Tanev played club football for Spartak Pleven and PFC CSKA Sofia in the Bulgarian A PFG. He also had a spell with G.D. Chaves in the Portuguese Liga.Tanev made 25 appearances for the...
- Yordan Filipov
- Dimitar Yakimov
Dimitar Nikolov Yakimov , is one of the players of the Bulgarian football team CSKA Sofia, sometimes called "the poet of football" for his dribbling skills. Yakimov played a decisive role in probably the most important victories of the Bulgarian national team in the 1960s...
- Krum Yanev
- Hristo Yanev
Hristo Yanev is a Bulgarian football player, currently playing for Litex Lovech as a midfielder.-Early years:Born in Kazanluk, Yanev was picked as a youth to play for local side Rozova Dolina, making his professional debut for Olimpik Teteven during the 1997–98 season...
- Kostadin Yanchev
Kostadin Yanchev is a Bulgarian former footballer who played at both professional and international levels as a midfielder.-Career:...
- Todor Yanchev
Todor Yanchev is a Bulgarian professional football midfielder, who plays for CSKA Sofia. He mainly plays as a defensive midfielder.-Career:...
- Tsonyo Vasilev
Tsonyo Vasilev is a Bulgarian football defender who played for Bulgaria in the 1974 FIFA World Cup. He also played for PFC CSKA Sofia.-External links:*...
- Georgi Velinov
Georgi Velinov Velinov , nicknamed Johnny is a former Bulgarian footballer and football manager. A goalkeeper, he was elected Bulgarian Footballer of the Year in 1981.Velinov was born in Rousse on 5 October 1957...
- For all CSKA players with a Wikipedia article see :Category:PFC CSKA Sofia players.
Managerial history
This is a list of the last ten CSKA Sofia managers:
| Name |
Nat |
From |
To |
Honours |
Plamen MarkovPlamen Markov is a retired Bulgarian international footballer who played as a midfielder.He played for the Bulgaria national football team on 32 occasions. His club career was spent with CSKA Sofia , FC Metz and Grenoble Foot .-References:...
|
|
4 April 2006 |
12 March 2007 |
1 Bulgarian Cup The Bulgarian Cup is a Bulgarian annual football competition. It is the country's main cup competition and all officially registered Bulgarian football teams take part in it. It is sponsored by the Bulgarian Corporate Commercial Bank....
1 Bulgarian Super Cup |
| Stoycho Mladenov Stoycho Mladenov is a Bulgarian former football player and as of recently the manager of ENPPI Club.-Career:...
|
|
12 March 2007 |
9 July 2008 |
1 Bulgarian League |
| Dimitar Penev Dimitar Penev is a Bulgarian football coach and former player and central defender of CSKA Sofia. He played 90 games for Bulgaria national football team and scored 2 goals. He is regarded as one of his country's best ever defenders, winning Bulgarian footballer of the year in 1967 and 1971, he...
|
|
9 July 2008 |
5 March 2009 |
1 Bulgarian Super Cup |
| Luboslav Penev |
|
5 March 2009 |
13 January 2010 |
– |
| Ioan Andone Ioan Andone is a Romanian football coach and former player.-Career:He made his Divizia A debut with Corvinul Hunedoara in 1979. He later went to Dinamo Bucureşti where he helped win the league title in 1984 and 1990 and the cup title in 1984, 1986 and 1990. In 1990 he was bought by Spanish team...
|
 |
17 January 2010 |
30 March 2010 |
– |
| Adalbert Zafirov Adalbert Zafirov is a former Bulgarian football defender and current manager of Kaliakra Kavarna.-International career:...
* |
|
30 March 2010 |
14 May 2010 |
– |
| Pavel Dochev |
|
1 June 2010 |
16 August 2010 |
– |
| Gjore Jovanovski Gjorgje "Gjore" Jovanovski is a Macedonian football manager and former player....
|
 |
17 August 2010 |
21 October 2010 |
– |
| Milen Radukanov Milen Radukanov is a former Bulgarian footballer, who currently manages Botev Plovdiv.-CSKA Sofia:In 2010 he was appointed as CSKA Sofia's assistant coach and interpreter for the Romanian head coach - Ioan Andone. Because of that fact he is known as the "Bulgarian Jose Mourinho"...
|
|
21 October 2010 |
23 October 2011 |
1 Bulgarian Cup The Bulgarian Cup is a Bulgarian annual football competition. It is the country's main cup competition and all officially registered Bulgarian football teams take part in it. It is sponsored by the Bulgarian Corporate Commercial Bank....
1 Bulgarian Super Cup |
| Dimitar Penev Dimitar Penev is a Bulgarian football coach and former player and central defender of CSKA Sofia. He played 90 games for Bulgaria national football team and scored 2 goals. He is regarded as one of his country's best ever defenders, winning Bulgarian footballer of the year in 1967 and 1971, he...
|
|
23 October 2011 |
– |
– |
Key
- * Served as caretaker manager
In association football, a caretaker manager is someone who takes temporary charge of the management of a football club, usually when the regular manager is dismissed or leaves for a different club. However, a caretaker may also be appointed if the regular manager is ill or unable to attend to his...
.
As of May 14, 2010.
Kit manufacturers
- 1948-1970s - Unknown
- 1970s-82 - Adidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
- 1982-85 - Puma
Puma SE, officially branded as PUMA, is a major German multinational company that produces high-end athletic shoes, lifestyle footwear and other sportswear. Formed in 1924 as Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik by Adolf and Rudolf Dassler, relationships between the two brothers deteriorated until the two...
- 1985-91 - Adidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
- 1991-92 (Season's 1st part) - Abm Pro
- 1991-92 (Season's 2nd part) - Umbro
Umbro is an English sportswear and football equipment supplier based in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, England. The company is now part of Nike. Umbro designs, sources, and markets sport-related apparel, footwear, and equipment...
- 1992-93 - Erreà
Erreà is a sportswear trademark founded in 1988, in Torrile...
- 1993-95 - Lotto
Lotto Sport Italia is an Italian sports apparel manufacturer. Its products are now distributed in more than 60 countries.-History:Lotto was established in 1973 by the Caberlotto family in Montebelluna, northern Italy, the world centre of footwear manufacturing. In June 1973, Lotto made its debut...
- 1995-00 - Puma
Puma SE, officially branded as PUMA, is a major German multinational company that produces high-end athletic shoes, lifestyle footwear and other sportswear. Formed in 1924 as Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik by Adolf and Rudolf Dassler, relationships between the two brothers deteriorated until the two...
- 1999-00 (Season's 2nd part) - Nike
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
- 2000-03 - Lotto
Lotto Sport Italia is an Italian sports apparel manufacturer. Its products are now distributed in more than 60 countries.-History:Lotto was established in 1973 by the Caberlotto family in Montebelluna, northern Italy, the world centre of footwear manufacturing. In June 1973, Lotto made its debut...
- 2003-04 - Asics
ASICS is a Japanese athletic equipment company. ASICS produces professional footwear and sports equipment designed for football, running, netball, tennis, badminton, squash, martial arts, cricket, golf, wrestling, track & field, cross-training, volleyball, cheerleading, lacrosse, and for many other...
- 2004-11 - Uhlsport
Uhlsport is a manufacturer of football equipment. Based in Germany and founded in 1948, the company's products include goalkeeper gloves, football boots, shin pads, footballs, training clothes, and kits....
- 2011-present - Kappa
Kappa is an Italian company specialized at the manufacture of sporting clothes and accessories, that started as a sock and underwear manufacturer in 1916 in Turin.-Logo:...
Shirt sponsors
- 1948-89 - No sponsor
- 1989-90 - Comco
Comco is the de facto name of an American airline operating two Boeing 757 aircraft, registrations being N226G and N610G. Both aircraft are painted completely white with the word Comco appearing on the tail. Little is known about the exact nature of their operation, but they are believed to operate...
- 1990-96 - Sintofarm
- 1996-99 - Multigroup
Multigroup is a business conglomerate in Bulgaria mostly known for its alleged involvement in various scandals and organized crime. Its founder is the Bulgarian businessman Iliya Pavlov, who was its leader until his assassination on March 7, 2003...
- 1999-05 (Bulgarian Championship) - No sponsor
- 2001-02 (UEFA Cup) - Sintofarm
- 2003-04 (UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup) - Transimpex
- 2005-08 - Vivatel
vivatel was a mobile operator in Bulgaria. It started operating in November 2005, receiving a GSM operator license in June 2004 and an UMTS license in May 2005. The 3G network was launched in April 2007...
- 2008-09 - No sponsor
- 2009–present - Globul
GLOBUL is the second-largest Bulgarian GSM/UMTS operator. The company was founded in 2001 and is 100% owned by Greek telecommunications corporation Cosmote, which is active in four Balkan countries: Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Albania...
External links
Official websites
Fan websites
Statistics websites