Mad Brit Diary

Does Stoitchkov have the temperment to coach Bulgaria?

(Friday, July 16, 2004) -- I wondered how long Hristo Stoitchkov would remain as the youth coach at Barcelona. It seems he didn't last long. Now, a new job has come calling.

Hey, don't get me wrong. Hristo is a great player, with one of the best left feet in the game after Diego Maradona, but as a youth coach! Please. It's like putting a bull in a china shop. Stoitchkov would only have to raise his voice a notch and turn on his angry face and kids be would running and screaming to their parents. After all, this is a guy that broke a college kid's leg in a friendly kick-around in Washington, D.C. He didn't mean to break the kid's leg of course, it's just that Stoitchkov is one passionate guy who has trouble controlling his emotions. Remember, controlling one's emotions is a sign of maturity, not that the Mad Brit is good at doing it.

The latest news in the saga of the Bulgarian legend is that he has now been appointed the new national-team coach of Bulgaria, replacing Plamen Markov after the team's early exit from Euro 2004. It seems only natural that the most famous Bulgarian in history takes on the coaching job. But is it wise?

The idea of Stoitchkov as a coach is bit scary. I'd hate to be the fourth official on the sideline trying to deal with a guy who's fiery temperament is world renowned. If his tongue is as fast as his free kicks, I would stand well clear.

Coaches need to have patience, to be calm, to be understanding and to behave themselves. Coaching is a stressful job and one wonders whether Stoitchkov and his hair-trigger temper is made of that material and has the discipline to succeed. There again, Manchester United's coach Alex Ferguson is known to have a wild temper and once kicked a boot at David Beckham.

I suppose Bulgaria has nothing to lose, and who knows, maybe Stoitchkov will become a reformed man and find his muse in shouting advice from the dugout in the six languages he speaks. Of the field, he's known as being a big teddy bear, concerned about young talent and willing to help them get good contracts.

Stoitchkov, who led his country to the semifinals of the 1994 World Cup, certainly has a great history as a player. He helped Barcelona win the European Cup in 1992 and won the Golden Ball as the best player in Europe in 1994. But there's a darker side to Hristo's story. In seven wild years with Barcelona, he earned 11 red cards and, at one time, even stomped on a referee's foot.

Stoitchkov once was banned for life after he was involved in a brawl during the 1985 Bulgarian Cup Final, but the ban was later reduced to a one-year suspension.

So Bulgaria got its man. We can only hope that it all ends up with smiles and not tears, but I'm not betting on this one. So watch out Sweden, Croatia, Iceland, Hungary and Malta. The Mad Bulgarian is readying his troops for World Cup qualifying. This should be fun.

Former Dutch stars Marco van Basten and John van't Schip are being linked with the job to coach the Netherlands, replacing Dick Advocaat who stepped down on July 6. The pair currently coach Ajax's reserve team.

Van Basten scored 24 goals in 58 games for the Netherlands. Meantime, German great Franz Beckenbauer is saying that the new German national-team coach, who will be announced next week, will be from outside Germany. The most probable candidate is Dutchman Guus Hiddink who led the Netherlands (1988) and South Korea (2002) to the semifinals of the World Cup.

Defender Mike Windischmann, captain of the 1990 U.S. World Cup team, which returned the Americans to the Cup for the first time in 40 years, has been elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame. The mailbox

DANOFHOLLY says: "So the U.S. men are ranked number seven in the world in the latest FIFA rankings. I myself much prefer the ELO rankings which has the U.S. 14th and England sixth."

Andrew Sak says: "Hi, Mad Brit. I disagree with Alan Miller's comments about the Copa America. We Yanks were right not to accept the invitation. After World Cup 2002, we realized we can compete with the world's best and just barely missed out on the semifinals. We're going into the next round of World Cup qualifying from August to November, and we don't need to get our best players banged up in the Copa America, and (U.S. manager) Bruce Arena knows it. Despite world opinion, CONCACAF qualifying is not easy. Road matches in Central American countries are especially difficult and the hostile atmosphere is very intimidating. In conclusion, I disagree that the Copa America is a prestigious tournament. Most South American countries, especially Brazil, use the tourney only to test new players."

Peter Calabrese writes: "As much as I love soccer, I can relate to your tournament. Here in the United States, if you root for the Cubs or Red Sox, they can feel your pain. See Babe Ruth Curse (probably for both teams). I guess the deal the English made with the Devil to win on the 'crossbar' goal in (the) 1966 (World Cup) is still coming home to haunt. Maybe you should find a new country instead. Pick the U.S. We may get better, but we'll never win -- sorry, you already have a country like that. Pick Brazil or Argentina next time."

WeLiveInDC writes : "Let's see, you beat Grenada and Honduras and move up two places (in the FIFA rankings). Suddenly the Americans are ranked ahead of England, Italy, Argentina and Germany. The reckoning must be near. Well, they did not lose to Greece! And it is a 'debacle' that the U.S. has great keepers, according to Bill S. Look, you and all your readers know that when the chips are down. England will fail and Bruce Arena's boys are likely to shine. We are a huge nation that plays soccer and is beginning to excel at it. Get over it!"

Heard a rumor, have a gripe or a tip? Feeling lonely? E-mail the Mad Brit at themadbrit3@aol.com.