site.btaCSKA Sofia Sack Manager Nestor El Maestro

The management of CSKA Sofia said they have sacked the team’s manager Nestor El Maestro two days after a 1-2 disaster at home against Pirin Blagoevgrad.

In February 2019 the British coach of Serbian descent again lost his job at the Bulgarian club but was re-contracted in 2023.

El Maestro will be replaced by Stamen Belchev for his third stint at the head of the Red side, after 2016-2018 and 2020.

Belchev, 54, has so far coached the Third League CSKA Sofia II. After a player career with Haskovo, Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa and Etar Veliko Tarnovo between 1988 and 2000, he managed Lyubimets, Haskovo, Litex Lovech, Arda Kardzhali, and CSKA Sofia (2016-2018 and July-October 2020).

El Maestro's assistants Nikon El Maestro and Alexander Gitsov have been fired as well. Belchev will be assisted by former CSKA player Anatoli Nankov.

After the Bulgarian First League Round 29, CSKA Sofia rank 3rd, on 60 points, trailing top side Ludogorets by 9 points and No. 2 Cherno More by 1 point.