CSKA Sofia: Title Contenders Next Season & Coach Search News

CSKA Sofia anticipates becoming a serious contender for the Bulgarian First League title next season, according to recent statements from club figures. This optimism follows a period of rebuilding and investment, with key personnel expressing confidence in the team’s potential.

Improved Performance Expected

Georgi Iliev, known as “Maikla,” stated that CSKA Sofia’s upcoming match is crucial, specifically highlighting the final as a key test for the team. He also emphasized the presence of “great footballers” within the squad, signaling a belief in their current capabilities. According to Gong.bg, Maikla believes the team is prepared for the challenge.

Maikla predicted that CSKA Sofia will be competitive for the league title next year, indicating a shift in expectations for the club. This sentiment was echoed in reports from ФОКУС and gol.bg.

Recent Coaching Change

The club recently appointed Hristo Yanev as their new head coach on September 24, 2025, after previous attempts to secure Dan Petrescu were unsuccessful due to health concerns. Yanev’s contract is for one year, with an option for an extension based on performance. According to Dsport, Georgi Iliev also commented on potential coaching candidates for both CSKA Sofia and Levski.

Yanev is a familiar figure to CSKA Sofia fans, having previously led the club to a Bulgarian Cup win in 2016. He boasts a strong playing history with the club, including 208 matches and 72 goals, and played a key role in their championship win during the 2004-2005 season, scoring 22 goals.

Current League Standing

As of September 24, 2025, CSKA Sofia was in 12th place in the Parva Liga, prompting the dismissal of their previous coach, Dusan Kerkez, due to poor performance. The team’s current season is their 77th in the Parva Liga and their tenth consecutive season after a period of administrative relegation to the third division due to financial difficulties, as detailed in information from Sportal.bg and Wikipedia.

Financial Backing and Squad Composition

CSKA 1948, a rival club, is also increasing its financial investment in an attempt to challenge Ludogorets’ dominance. CSKA 1948 has recently acquired Brazilian forward Pedrinho on loan from PAOK, demonstrating a commitment to strengthening their squad. This investment is backed by Martin Genchev, who is focused on building a competitive team.

The current CSKA Sofia squad includes players such as Pastor, Andrey Yordanov, Adrián Lapeña, Lumbardh Dellova, Bruno Jordão, Olaus Skarsem, Santiago Godoy, Max Ebong, Mohamed Brahimi, Teodor Ivanov, Ángelo Martino, Ivan Turitsov, and Fyodor Lapoukhov. The team’s performance will be crucial in determining whether they can achieve their goal of challenging for the title.