Nikolay Kirov (footballer)
{{Short description|Bulgarian footballer and manager}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Nikolay Kirov
| image = Nikolay Kirov-Belia in 2018.jpg
| fullname = Nikolay Stoilov Kirov
| height =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1975|6|12}}
| birth_place = Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| clubnumber = Spartak Varna (manager)
| position = Goalkeeper
| youthyears1 = 1982–1992
| youthclubs1 = Maritsa Plovdiv
| years1 = 1992–1998 | clubs1 = Maritsa Plovdiv | caps1 = | goals1 =
| years2 = 1998–2001 | clubs2 = Botev Plovdiv | caps2 = 22 | goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2001 | clubs3 = Dobrudzha Dobrich | caps3 = | goals3 =
| totalcaps = |totalgoals =
| manageryears1 = 2002–2005 | managerclubs1 = Maritsa Plovdiv (assistant)
| manageryears2 = 2005–2006 | managerclubs2 = Maritsa Plovdiv
| manageryears3 = 2007 | managerclubs3 = Maritsa Plovdiv (assistant)
| manageryears4 = 2007 | managerclubs4 = Maritsa Plovdiv
| manageryears5 = 2007–2011 | managerclubs5 = Spartak Plovdiv
| manageryears6 = 2014 | managerclubs6 = Botev Plovdiv (assistant)
| manageryears7 = 2015 | managerclubs7 = Botev Plovdiv (assistant)
| manageryears8 = 2016–2019 | managerclubs8 = Botev Plovdiv
| manageryears9 = 2020–2021 | managerclubs9 = Arda Kardzhali
| manageryears10 = 2021–2022 | managerclubs10 = CSKA 1948
| manageryears11 = 2022–2023 | managerclubs11 = Beroe Stara Zagora
| manageryears12 = 2024 | managerclubs12 = Arda Kardzhali
| manageryears13 = 2024– | managerclubs13 = Spartak Varna
}}
Nikolay Kirov ({{langx|bg|Николай Киров}}; born 12 June 1975) is a Bulgarian football manager and former footballer. He is currently the manager of Spartak Varna.
Coaching career
=Maritsa Plovdiv=
Kirov started his career as assistant manager at his hometown club Maritsa Plovdiv.{{cite web | title = Николай Киров - Футболна академия "Ботев Пловдив" | url = http://academy.botevplovdiv.bg/component/content/article/1797 | publisher = botevplovdiv.bg | accessdate = 20 April 2017 | language = Bulgarian}} He was soon promoted to manager but in January 2007 became assistant again when the much more experienced Petar Zehtinski was appointed as manager. However, he resigned in two months and Kirov was restored as manager.{{cite web | title = Николай Киров отново пое Марица | url = https://topsport.bg/b-group/nikolay-kirov-otnovo-poe-maritsa.html | publisher = topsport.bg | date = 13 March 2007 | language = Bulgarian}}
=Spartak Plovdiv=
On 13 June 2007, Kirov was appointed as manager of Spartak Plovdiv.{{cite web | title = Спартак Пд назначи Николай Киров за треньор | url = https://dariknews.bg/novini/sport/spartak-pd-naznachi-nikolaj-kirov-za-trenxor-153389 | date = 13 June 2007 | language = Bulgarian}} He left the club after the 2010–11 season due to the continuing financial crisis.{{cite web | title = Спартак (Пд) намери заместник на Белия | url = http://www.blitz.bg/sport/bg-futbol/spartak-pd-nameri-zamestnik-na-beliya_93010.html | publisher = blitz.bg | date = 11 May 2011 | language = Bulgarian}}
=Botev Plovdiv=
On 14 June 2011, Kirov was announced as the head of youth department of Botev Plovdiv,{{cite web | title = Николай Киров е новият директор на ДЮШ | url = https://botevplovdiv.bg/Nikolai-Kirov-e-noviiat-direktor-na-DIuSh-812.html | publisher = botevplovdiv.bg | date = 14 June 2011 | language = Bulgarian}} a position he held until 10 January 2017.{{cite web | title = Трифон Пачев е новият директор на школата на Ботев, промени в треньорския състав на ДЮШ | url = https://botevplovdiv.bg/Trifon-Pachev-e-noviiat-direktor-na-shkolata-na-Botev-promeni-v-treniorskiia-sustav-na-DIuSh-3765.html | publisher = botevplovdiv.bg | date = 10 January 2017 | language = Bulgarian}} Kirov served as assistant manager of Velislav Vutsov in 2014 and Ermin Šiljak in 2015.{{cite web | title = Профил Николай Киров - Ботев Пловдив | url = https://botevplovdiv.bg/person/155/Nikolai-Kirov.html | publisher = botevplovdiv.bg | accessdate = 20 April 2017 | language = Bulgarian}}
==2016-17==
File:Botev-plovdiv-bulgarian-cup-2017.jpg
On 1 September 2016, following Nikolay Mitov's short tenure, Kirov was appointed as interim manager{{cite web | title = Николай Киров и Иван Кочев напълниха отбора с таланти от школата | url = https://botevplovdiv.bg/Nikolai-Kirov-i-Ivan-Kochev-napulniha-otbora-s-talanti-ot-shkolata-3632.html | publisher = PFC Botev Plovdiv | date = 1 September 2016 | language = Bulgarian}} – an assignment made permanent in January 2017.{{cite web | title = Белия пред PlovdivNews за подписания договор, подготовката, Купата и първата шестица | url = http://www.plovdivnews.bg/sport/botev/40884-beliya-pred-plovdivnews-za-podpisaniya-dogovor-podgotovkata-kupata-i-parvata-shestitza | publisher = plovdivnews.bg | date = 19 January 2017 | language = Bulgarian | access-date = 20 April 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170303042806/http://www.plovdivnews.bg/sport/botev/40884-beliya-pred-plovdivnews-za-podpisaniya-dogovor-podgotovkata-kupata-i-parvata-shestitza | archive-date = 3 March 2017 | url-status = dead }} His first new signing was Omar Kossoko who joined the club on a free transfer on 29 September.{{Cite web|title=Омар Косоко подписа договор с Ботев|url=https://botevplovdiv.bg/Omar-Kosoko-podpisa-dogovor-s-Botev--3658.html|publisher=botevplovdiv.bg|date=29 September 2016|language=Bulgarian}} Nikolai Kirov and his assistant manager Ivan Kochev, stabilized and improved the performance of the team. The most memorable and impressive game in 2016 was the tremendous 3–4 away win over Beroe Stara Zagora with spectacular goals by Todor Nedelev, João Paulo and Omar Kossoko.[https://botevplovdiv.bg/Botev-prevze-Stara-Zagora-v-unikalno-golovo-shou-3678.html Ботев превзе Стара Загора в уникално голово шоу][http://botev.gong.bg/bg-football/parva-liga/multimedia/video/zrelishte-s-nedelev-nachelo-botev-poseche-beroe-v-golov-trilyr-401809 Зрелище: С Неделев начело Ботев посече Берое в голов трилър][http://www.sportal.bg/news.php?news=629442 Хеттрик на Мапуку и червен картон на Косоко не стигнаха, Неделев герой в мача на сезона]
During the winter break Kirov brought several new key players to Botev Plovdiv: Antonio Vutov,{{cite web | title = Антонио Вутов и Фернандо Виана се присъединиха към Ботев | url = https://botevplovdiv.bg/Antonio-Vutov-i-Fernando-Viana-se-prisuediniha-kum-Botev-3788.html | publisher = botevplovdiv.bg | date = 28 January 2017 | language = Bulgarian | access-date = 20 May 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170202052658/https://botevplovdiv.bg/Antonio-Vutov-i-Fernando-Viana-se-prisuediniha-kum-Botev-3788.html | archive-date = 2 February 2017 | url-status = dead }} Victor Genev,{{cite web | title = Ботев привлече Виктор Генев | url = https://botevplovdiv.bg/Botev-privleche-Viktor-Genev-3808.html | publisher = botevplovdiv.bg | date = 6 February 2017 | language = Bulgarian}} Ivan Čvorović{{cite web | title = Ботев привлече Иван Чворович | url = https://botevplovdiv.bg/Botev-privleche-Ivan-Chvorovich-3775.html | publisher = botevplovdiv.bg | date = 20 January 2017 | language = Bulgarian}} and Fernando Viana.{{cite web|url=https://botevplovdiv.bg/Botev-nadvi-Lokomotiv-v-Gorna-Oriahovica-3817.html|title=Ботев надви Локомотив в Горна Оряховица|publisher=|accessdate=15 February 2018}} Lazar Marin returned to the club after a short and unsuccessful stay at CSKA Sofia.{{cite web | url=https://botevplovdiv.bg/Lazar-Marin-se-zavurna-v-Botev--3770.html | title=Лазар Марин се завърна в Ботев }} In the meantime, due to financial difficulties João Paulo, the most valuable player from the first part of the season, was sold to Ludogorets Razgrad.{{Cite web |url=https://botevplovdiv.bg/Botev-se-sporazumia-s-Ludogorec-za-transfer-na-Zhoao-Paulo-3758.html |title=Ботев се споразумя с Лудогорец за трансфер на Жоао Пауло |access-date=2018-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521104805/https://botevplovdiv.bg/Botev-se-sporazumia-s-Ludogorec-za-transfer-na-Zhoao-Paulo-3758.html |archive-date=2018-05-21 |url-status=dead }}
With Nikolay Kirov in charge Botev failed to qualify for the championship round playoffs of the Bulgarian First League. However the club finished second in Group A of the relegation rounds and after that defeated Beroe Stara Zagora in the European play-offs. The 7–1 win over PFC Montana from 7 April 2017 is memorable not only as the biggest win during the season but also because the first goal scored by the then 15-year-old Kris Dobrev who become the youngest goalscorer in Bulgarian league history.[https://botevplovdiv.bg/Botev-razpilia-Montana-sus-7-gola-Kris-Dobrev-vleze-v-istoriiata-na-15-godini-3864.html Ботев разпиля Монтана със 7 гола, Крис Добрев влезе в историята на 15 години] Under the guidance of Kirov Botev Plovdiv eliminated Neftochimic Burgas,[https://botevplovdiv.bg/Botev-e-na-14-final-sled-klasicheski-uspeh-nad-Neftohimik-3694.html Ботев е на 1/4-финал след класически успех над Нефтохимик] Pirin Blagoevgrad[https://botevplovdiv.bg/Botev-na-polufinal-za-Kupata-sled-pobeda-v-Blagoevgrad-3859.html Ботев на полуфинал за Купата след победа в Благоевград] and FC Vereya{{Cite web |url=https://botevplovdiv.bg/BOTEV-NA-FINAL%21-3881.html |title=БОТЕВ НА ФИНАЛ! |access-date=2018-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521104620/https://botevplovdiv.bg/BOTEV-NA-FINAL%21-3881.html |archive-date=2018-05-21 |url-status=dead }} to reach the Bulgarian Cup final. On 24 May 2017 Kirov lead Botev to a 2–1 victory in the Bulgarian Cup final against Ludogorets winning the club's first trophy in 36 years.[https://topsport.bg/cup/botev-plovdiv-triumfira-s-kupata-na-balgariya.html Ботев (Пловдив) триумфира с Купата на България!]{{Cite web |url=https://botevplovdiv.bg/VIVA-KANARI%21%21%21-BOTEV-Ia-PREGURNA-3899.html |title=ВИВА КАНАРИ!!! БОТЕВ Я ПРЕГЪРНА |access-date=2018-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810013252/https://botevplovdiv.bg/VIVA-KANARI%21%21%21-BOTEV-Ia-PREGURNA-3899.html |archive-date=2017-08-10 |url-status=dead }} Due to the win Botev managed to qualify for the 2017-18 UEFA Europa League.
==2017-18==
Due to financial difficulties most of the first team players from the previous successful season were sold by the end of 2017. Antonio Vutov decided to join his previous team Levski Sofia for the new season.{{Cite web|url=https://levski.bg/news/details/176167|publisher=levski.bg|title=Вутов подписа с Левски за една година|date=13 June 2017|language=Bulgarian}} The goalkeeper Georgi Georgiev was upset for not being in the starting lineup for the Bulgarian Cup final and he left immediately because his contract expired.{{Cite web |url=https://botevplovdiv.bg/Nikolai-Kirov%3A-Prez-noviia-sezon-shte-tursim-po-dobro-predstaviane-v-shampionata-i-zashtita-na-spechelenata-Kupa-3910.html |title=Николай Киров: През новия сезон ще търсим по-добро представяне в шампионата и защита на спечелената Купа |access-date=2018-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801195110/https://botevplovdiv.bg/Nikolai-Kirov%3A-Prez-noviia-sezon-shte-tursim-po-dobro-predstaviane-v-shampionata-i-zashtita-na-spechelenata-Kupa-3910.html |archive-date=2017-08-01 |url-status=dead }} After winning the Bulgarian Supercup Victor Genev left to sign with an Israeli club.[https://botevplovdiv.bg/Viktor-Genev-napuska-Botev-4030.html Виктор Генев напуска Ботев] At the beginning of August Omar Kossoko was sold to Al-Fujairah.{{cite web |url=https://botevplovdiv.bg/Botev-transferira-Omar-Kosoko-v-OAE-4012.html |title=Ботев трансферира Омар Косоко в ОАЕ |website=botevplovdiv.bg |accessdate=7 August 2017|language=Bulgarian}} A few months later Fernando Viana was also sold. Krum Stoyanov, Yaya Meledje and Tsvetomir Panov[https://botevplovdiv.bg/Botev-se-razdeli-s-Cvetomir-Panov-Zhoao-Paulo-pred-zavrushtane-v-Plovdiv-4200.html Ботев се раздели с Цветомир Панов, Жоао Пауло пред завръщане в Пловдив] left during the winter break.
Kirov had to fill the gaps in his squad and during the summer and the autumn several new players joined on free transfers: Plamen Dimov, Álvaro Juliano, Daniel Kajzer, Steven Petkov, Daudet N'Dongala, and Gustavo Sauer. The start of the season was very successful - on 9 August 2017, Nikolay Kirov and his team won the first Bulgarian Supercup in the history of Botev Plovdiv following a 1–1 draw and a victory through penalty shootout against Ludogorets.[https://botevplovdiv.bg/Super-Botev-grabna-Superkupata%21-4014.html Супер Ботев грабна Суперкупата!]
During the winter break Nikolay Kirov brought two ex-players back to Botev Plovdi: João Paulo{{Cite web |url=https://botevplovdiv.bg/Zhoao-Paulo-se-zavrushta-v-Botev-pod-naem-4208.html |title=Жоао Пауло се завръща в Ботев под наем |access-date=2018-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301225222/https://botevplovdiv.bg/Zhoao-Paulo-se-zavrushta-v-Botev-pod-naem-4208.html |archive-date=2018-03-01 |url-status=dead }} on a loan until the end of the season and the right-back Filip Filipov.[https://botevplovdiv.bg/Botev-vurna-v-redicite-si-Filip-Filipov-4188.html Ботев върна в редиците си Филип Филипов] The other new signings were the Brazilian forward Diogo Campos Gomes and the defender Dimitar Pirgov.[https://botevplovdiv.bg/Botev-privleche-Dimitur-Pirgov-4166.html Ботев привлече Димитър Пиргов] In the last official home game from the season of First League, 2–0 win over FC Vereya, Kirov made a substitute and allowed Stanislav Shopov to make an official debut for the first-team just at the age of 16.[https://botevplovdiv.bg/article/botev-pobedi-vereya-stivun-ne-spira-da-belezhi БОТЕВ ПОБЕДИ ВЕРЕЯ, СТИВЪН НЕ СПИРА ДА БЕЛЕЖИ] Botev Plovdiv finished 5th in First League and was eliminated by Slavia Sofia at the semi-finals of the Bulgarian Cup after several controversial refereeing decisions.
=Beroe=
Kirov served as manager of Beroe Stara Zagora between September 2022 and June 2023.{{cite web|language=Bulgarian|author=Nikolaev, Emil|publisher=dnevnik.bg|title="Берое" уволни треньора си преди баража за оставане в Първа лига |url=https://www.dnevnik.bg/sport/2023/06/06/4492154_beroe_uvolni_trenyora_si_predi_baraja_za_ostavane_v/|date=6 June 2023 |access-date=14 June 2023}}
Honours
- Bulgarian Cup (1): 2016-17
- Bulgarian Supercup (1): 2017
- Bulgarian football manager of the year - Runner-up (2017){{cite web|author=Yotova, Ralitsa|publisher=topsport.bg|script-title=bg:"Ивелин Попов е "Футболист на годината" за трети пореден път!"|url=https://topsport.bg/bg-football/ivelin-popov-e-futbolist-na-godinata-za-treti-poreden-pat.html|date=7 January 2018|accessdate=16 January 2018|language=Bulgarian}}
Managerial statistics
{{updated|29 July 2021}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" | ||||
| rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|From !rowspan="2"|To !colspan="5"|Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % |
| align=left|Maritsa Plovdiv
|align=left|13 June 2005 |align=left|15 December 2006 {{WDL|43|20|10|13}} | ||||
| align=left|Maritsa Plovdiv
|align=left|13 March 2007 |align=left|27 May 2007 {{WDL|11|3|3|5}} | ||||
| align=left|Spartak Plovdiv
|align=left|13 June 2007 |align=left|1 July 2011 {{WDL|112|46|28|38}} | ||||
| align=left|Botev Plovdiv
{{WDL|130|56|32|42}} | ||||
| align=left|Arda Kardzhali
|align=left|21 April 2020{{cite web |url=https://sportal.bg/news-2020053013431486041 |title=Николай Киров е новият треньор на Арда |date=21 April 2020 |website=sportal.bg |accessdate=14 April 2021 |language=Bulgarian}} |align=left|3 September 2021 {{WDL|48|19|16|13}} | ||||
| colspan="3"|Total
{{WDLtot|344|144|89|111}} |
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|nikolay-kirov/140235}}
{{First Professional Football League managers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kirov, Nikolay}}
Category:Footballers from Plovdiv
Category:Bulgarian men's footballers
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) players
Category:FC Maritsa Plovdiv players
Category:Botev Plovdiv players
Category:FC Dobrudzha Dobrich players