CSKA Sofia Executive shakeup: Zlatkov Expected to Follow Noga Out the Door
SOFIA, Bulgaria – CSKA Sofia is facing a period of important upheaval with Executive director Radoslav Zlatkov widely expected to resign, mirroring the recent departure of Sports Director Paulo Noga. The news, reported initially by Topic Sport, comes amid mounting pressure following a disappointing start to the season and a growing rift between club leadership and supporters.
Zlatkov, who holds extensive experience in the telecommunications sector, had been a key figure at CSKA, enjoying the trust of the club’s owner and playing a pivotal role in Noga’s appointment in February. However, a string of poor results, culminating in a defeat to Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the previous round of the First Professional Football League, has triggered a crisis within the club.
Noga officially resigned earlier this week, taking responsibility for the team’s underperformance. The pressure now squarely falls on Zlatkov, with sources indicating his position is untenable. While Zlatkov is likely to remain in his role until the close of the transfer window on September 13th to oversee ongoing negotiations for new players – including reported interest in dinamo Zagreb midfielder kristijan Jakiฤ and Romanian forward Denis Alibec – his long-term future at the club appears bleak.
The discontent surrounding Zlatkov predates the current season. Following CSKA’s loss in the Bulgarian Cup final, legendary player and former coach Hristo Stoichkov publicly called for both Zlatkov’s and then-coach Alexander Tomash’s resignations. This sentiment was echoed by the organized supporters group, Sector D, who specifically blamed Zlatkov and Noga for the team’s struggles. Sector D’s vocal opposition, often displayed with banners and chants at home matches at the Vasil Levski National Stadium, has substantially amplified the pressure on the leadership.
Club insiders suggest that Zlatkov’s tenure has been marked by a lack of decisive leadership. While he oversaw the day-to-day operations, he is not credited with any significant strategic moves that demonstrably improved the club’s performance. The search for a replacement is expected to begin immediately, with the club potentially looking for a candidate with a stronger track record in football management. Potential candidates include former Levski Sofia sporting director Georgi Markov and experienced agent Emil Danchev.
The coming weeks will be crucial for CSKA Sofia. Poor results in upcoming matches, including a key fixture against Ludogorets Razgrad on September 2nd, could accelerate Zlatkov’s departure and further destabilize the club. The transfer window deadline looms large, and the club’s ability to secure key signings could hinge on resolving the leadership uncertainty.