Penev is right man to be Bulgaria coach, says Berbatov

SOFIA, July 23 (Reuters) Dimitar Penev is the right man to take over as Bulgaria coach, according to captain Dimitar Berbatov.

Bulgaria remain without a coach after Hristo Stoichkov quit in April to take charge of Celta Vigo. Levski Sofia's Stanimir Stoilov was appointed as caretaker for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Belarus last month.

''It would be a privilege for me to play under Dimitar Penev,'' Tottenham Hotspur striker Berbatov told Darik radio today. ''I made no secret that my sympathies are with him.

''But the decision will be taken by the Bulgarian Football Union.

I've already declared my wish and the president Borislav Mihaylov knows about it.'' Mihaylov said earlier this month that the coach would be chosen after consultations with the national team players. The Bulgarian union is due to name the new coach at its meeting on July 30.

The 62-year-old Penev guided Bulgaria to the semi-finals of the 1994 World Cup.

Bulgaria lie second in Euro 2008 qualifying Group G with 15 points from seven matches, two points behind their Balkan rivals Romania. Bulgaria visit third-placed Netherlands on September 8.

Reuters SY GC2120