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Hristo Stoichkov

Stoichkov in May 2016
Personal information
Full name	Hristo Stoichkov
Date of birth	(1966-02-08) 8 February 1966 (age 52)
Place of birth	Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position	Forward
Youth career
1977–1981	Maritsa Plovdiv
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1982–1984	Hebros	32	(14)
1984–1990	CSKA Sofia	119	(81)
1990–1995	Barcelona	151	(76)
1995–1996	Parma	23	(5)
1996–1998	Barcelona	24	(7)
1998	CSKA Sofia	4	(1)
1998	Al-Nassr	2	(1)
1998–1999	Kashiwa Reysol	27	(12)
2000–2002	Chicago Fire	51	(17)
2003	D.C. United	21	(5)
Total		454	(219)
National team
1986–1999	Bulgaria	83	(37[1])
Teams managed
2003–2004	Barcelona (Striker Coach)
2004–2007	Bulgaria
2007	Celta Vigo
2009–2010	Mamelodi Sundowns
2012–2013	Litex Lovech
2013	CSKA Sofia
Honours Barcelona Winner European Cup 1992
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgarian: Христо Стоичков, pronounced [ˈxristo stoˈitʃkof]; born 8 February 1966) is a Bulgarian former footballer who is currently a football commentator for Univision Deportes. A prolific forward, he is regarded as one of the best players of his generation^[2] and is widely considered the greatest Bulgarian footballer of all time.^[3][4] He was runner-up for the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1992 and 1994, and received the Ballon d'Or in 1994. In 2004, Stoichkov was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players.^[5]

At club level, Stoichkov spent six years at CSKA Sofia and became the top goalscorer in Europe in 1990, receiving the European Golden Shoe. In 1990, he joined Barcelona where he earned the Spanish nickname "El Pistolero" ("The Gunslinger"), and was part of Johan Cruyff's "Dream Team" that won four consecutive La Liga titles and one UEFA Champions League. During his time at the club, he formed a lethal strike partnership with Romário. Cruyff was largely instrumental in bringing him to Barcelona where he quickly developed into one of the most prolific forwards in the world.

Stoichkov was a member of the Bulgaria national team that finished fourth at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, of which he was the top scorer with six goals and received the World Cup Golden Shoe. He was ranked the third best player at the World Cup, after Romário and Roberto Baggio, and received the World Cup Bronze Ball. Apart from his footballing talent, he was notable for his on-pitch temper.^[6] In his playing career he was also nicknamed The Dagger (Камата).^{[citation needed]}

Club career

Early career

Stoichkov was born in the city of Plovdiv.

Stoichkov began his football career playing for hometown club Maritsa Plovdiv at age 11. In 1982, he moved to Hebros Harmanli, scoring 14 goals in the third level of Bulgarian football.

CSKA Sofia

In early 1985, Stoichkov joined CSKA Sofia. At the beginning of his five-year stay at CSKA, Stoichkov (who later became famous for his short temper) became involved in a fight during the 1985 Bulgarian Cup Final, which resulted in an original lifelong ban, later reduced to a year suspension.^[7] He made his comeback for CSKA on 30 April 1986, in a 3–1 away win over Sliven in a game of the Cup of the Soviet Army. On 21 May, Stoichkov opened the scoring in the final of tournament against Lokomotiv Sofia, which CSKA won 2–0.^[8]

He continued his progress during 1986–87, becoming a regular in the left side of CSKA's attack. Stoichkov collected his first A Group title winner's medal at the end of the season. He scored 6 league goals that season.

Stoichkov managed to win the European Golden Boot with CSKA by scoring 38 goals in 30 matches during the 1989–90 A Group season.^[6]

Barcelona

After five years with CSKA, Stoichkov transferred to Barcelona. In his first season with the club, Stoichkov was suspended for two months for stomping on a referee's foot,^[9] but he still scored 14 league goals and 6 more in the European Cup Winners' Cup. He became part of manager Johan Cruyff's "Dream Team" and helped Barcelona to one of the most successful eras of the club, winning La Liga four years in a row between 1991 and 1994 and the European Cup after defeating Sampdoria in 1992.^[10] During his stay in Barcelona, he became an idol for the club's fans, and played in tandem with Romário in attack. Stoichkov was also known for making sure Romario attended training sessions on time, as the latter often indulged in late-night fiestas. ^[11] Stoichkov was twice named runner up for the FIFA World Player of the Year, in 1992 and 1994, and he won the 1994 Ballon d'Or after leading his national team to the 1994 World Cup semi-finals.^[6]

Later career

Stoichkov then had a short spell in Italy with Parma, and after a short return to FC Barcelona, he later played for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, and subsequently in Japan with Kashiwa Reysol, before finishing his career in the United States with the Chicago Fire and D.C. United.^[6]

International career

Stoichkov debuted for the Bulgaria national team in a UEFA Euro 1988 qualifying match against Belgium on 23 September 1987. He scored his first international goal in his fourth appearance, a 3–2 friendly defeat of Qatar in Doha.^[12]

During qualification for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Stoichkov scored five goals to help Bulgaria qualify for its first major tournament since the 1986 World Cup. At the tournament finals, Stoichkov was awarded the World Cup Golden Boot as the joint top goal scorer of the tournament (with Oleg Salenko), with six goals, as well as earning the Bronze Ball award. He led Bulgaria past Germany in the quarter-finals 2–1, a shock result as Germany were the then-defending champions. In the semi-finals, Bulgaria lost 2–1 to Italy. They subsequently lost the third place play-off to Sweden, 4–0.^[6]

Bulgaria finished second in the qualifying group for Euro 1996 behind Germany. Stoichkov scored ten goals for his team during the qualifiers, as Bulgaria qualified as one of the best six runners-up. In the first match against Germany in Sofia, Bulgaria were 2–0 down at half-time. Stoichkov equalized with two goals from penalties and Emil Kostadinov also scored for a 3–2 win. Bulgaria lost the second match in Germany 3–1. During the finals, Bulgaria lost 3–1 in the decisive group match against a strong France side; in the other match, Spain won 2–1 against Romania and so the Bulgarians went out. In that tournament, Stoichkov scored three goals in three matches.^[6]

He was also part of the squad that was eliminated in the first round of the 1998 World Cup. Bulgaria was not nearly as strong as in previous years, earning only one point in a 0–0 draw against Paraguay and scoring only one goal through Kostadinov in a 6–1 defeat by Spain. Stoichkov retired from internationals in 1999 with 37 goals in 83 appearances.^[6]

He later served as coach of the Bulgaria national team from 2004 to April 2007.^[6]

Style of play

Stoichkov was a quick, creative, tenacious and prolific left-footed forward who was primarily deployed as a striker, but was also capable of playing in a creative role, as an attacking midfielder, due to his ability to provide assists for teammates.^[13][14] He was also deployed as a supporting striker throughout his career, forming a lethal strike partnership with Romário at Barcelona, and occasionally he played as a right winger during his time at the club, although he was also capable of playing on the left or through the middle.^[15][16] A powerful, physically strong and technically gifted player, Stoichkov was known for his explosive acceleration, and his dribbling ability at speed, as well as for his tendency to take unpredictable, powerful shots on goal.^[17][18] The top goalscorer at the 1994 World Cup, he was also notable at taking free-kicks and penalties,^[19] as well as being a very good crosser and passer of the ball.^[20]

Despite his talent, Stoichkov was criticised for his work-rate at times,^[21] and he also gained infamy because of his aggressive temper on the pitch; he could often be seen arguing with the referee, or with his opponents.^[22]

In 2006, he was sued by a former American University college student whose leg he broke with a violent tackle while playing in a friendly match for D.C. United in 2003. The case was settled out of court in 2007 for undisclosed financial terms.^[23] The student's coach called Stoichkov's challenge "criminal". Ray Hudson, who coached D.C. United for whom Stoichkov played at the time, called it a "rash tackle". Following an investigation by Major League Soccer (MLS), Stoichkov was suspended two games and fined US$2,000.^[24]

Media

Stoichkov features in EA Sports' FIFA video game series; he was included in the FIFA 15 Ultimate Team Legends.^[25][26][27]

In 2018 he published his authorized biography "Hristo Stoichkov. The Story"^[28].

Managing career

In the 2003–04 season, Stoichkov started a managing career, serving as a forwards coach at Barcelona. After Bulgarian national team manager Plamen Markov resigned in the wake of the team's first-round exit from Euro 2004, the Bulgarian Football Union named him as the new national team manager on 15 July.

Stoichkov's managing career got off to a poor start with him failing to lead Bulgaria to qualification for the 2006 World Cup. He brought his bad temper from his career as a player to the bench. A couple of proven players quit the team due to personal differences with Stoichkov. The most notable scandal was on 5 September 2005, in a game against Sweden, where he was sent-off for insulting the referee.

The biggest blow to Stoichkov as a manager of the national team of Bulgaria came on 12 October 2006, when Stiliyan Petrov, the captain of the team, announced he would not play for Bulgaria so long as Stoichkov was manager.^[29] Petrov was the third player and the second captain in two years to leave the team because of differences with Stoichkov. On 17 March 2007, however, Petrov announced that he had had a private conversation with Stoichkov, in which they were able to work their differences out. As a result, Petrov would return to the team.^[30]

On 10 April 2007, the Bulgarian Football Union announced they had accepted the resignation of Stoichkov from his post with the national team. That was as a result of the poor performance of the team at the ongoing Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, followed by widely spread criticism and debate over the qualities of the manager. The specific game, which led to increased pressure on Stoichkov, was the 0–0 home draw with Albania (despite the fact that the Bulgarians generally controlled the game and hit the post twice). He had a short disappointing stint as manager at Celta Vigo, for which he was sacked following the team's slump that took them to the lower reaches of the Spanish Second Division. On 8 October 2007, he was replaced by ex-Real Madrid manager Juan Ramón López Caro. On 12 March 2009, Stoichkov visited the Manchester City training ground after requesting a visit.^[31]

On 29 June 2009, Stoichkov moved to Mamelodi Sundowns, where he replaced Henri Michel.^[32] On 16 March 2010, he quit Mamelodi Sundowns, with the former South Africa national team manager Trott Moloto named caretaker until a full-time replacement is found.^[33]

In 2011, the Vietnam Football Federation invited Stoichkov to become the head manager of Vietnam national team.^[34] In the 2011–12 season, he worked as an advisor at Russian club Rostov.^[35]

In January 2012, Stoichkov was appointed manager of Bulgarian side Litex Lovech, replacing Lyuboslav Penev, who left to become manager of the Bulgaria national team. In May 2013, Stoichkov was recognized as the A PFG manager of the season following a vote by the professional footballers in the Bulgarian league.^[36] In June 2013, he was named the manager of Bulgarian powerhouse – and former club – CSKA Sofia,^[37] but quit one month later after he lost faith in the troubled club.

Career statistics

Club

^{[38][39][40][41]}

^[12]

International

International goals

Scores and goals list Bulgaria's goal tally first.^[12]

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	21 January 1988	Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar	Qatar		3–2	Friendly
2.	9 August 1988	Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway	Norway	1–1	1–1
3.	24 August 1988	Stadion Hetman, Białystok, Poland	Poland	1–3	2–3
4.	21 September 1988	Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria	Soviet Union	2–2	2–2
5.	11 October 1989	Yuri Gagarin Stadium, Varna, Bulgaria	Greece	4–0	4–0	1990 FIFA World Cup qualification
6.	25 September 1991	Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria	Italy	2–0	2–1	Friendly
7.	16 October 1991		San Marino	2–0	4–0	UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying
8.	19 August 1992		Mexico	1–1	1–1	Friendly
9.	9 September 1992		France	1–0	2–0	1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
10.	28 April 1993		Finland	1–0	2–0
11.	12 May 1993		Israel	1–0	2–2
12.	8 September 1993		Sweden	1–0	1–1
13.	13 October 1993		Austria	2–0	4–1
14.	26 June 1994	Soldier Field, Chicago, United States	Greece	1–0	4–0	1994 FIFA World Cup
15.				2–0
16.	30 June 1994	Cotton Bowl, Dallas, United States	Argentina	1–0	2–0
17.	5 July 1994	Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, United States	Mexico	1–0	1–1
18.	10 July 1994		Germany	1–1	2–1
19.	13 July 1994		Italy	1–2	1–2
20.	16 November 1994	Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria	Moldova	1–0	4–1	UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying
21.				3–1
22.	14 December 1994	Arms Park, Cardiff, Wales	Wales	3–0	3–0
23.	26 April 1995	Stadionul Republican, Chișinău, Moldova	Moldova	2–0	3–0
24.				3–0
25.	7 June 1995	Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria	Germany	1–2	3–2
26.				2–2
27.	6 September 1995	Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana, Albania	Albania	1–0	1–1
28.	11 October 1995	Boris Paichadze National Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgia	Georgia	1–2	1–2
29.	15 November 1995	Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany	Germany	1–0	1–3
30.	28 May 1996	Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria	Macedonia	2–0	3–0	Friendly
31.	2 June 1996		United Arab Emirates	2–0	4–1
32.	9 June 1996	Elland Road, Leeds, England	Spain	1–0	1–1	UEFA Euro 1996
33.	13 June 1996	St James' Park, Newcastle, England	Romania	1–0	1–0
34.	18 June 1996		France	1–2	1–3
35.	8 June 1997	Neftochimik Stadium, Burgas, Bulgaria	Luxembourg	1–0	4–0	1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
36.	5 June 1998	Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria	Algeria	1–0	2–0	Friendly
37.	31 March 1999	Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg, Luxembourg	Luxembourg	1–0	2–0	UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying

Managerial statistics

As of 8 July 2013.

Honours

Player

Club

CSKA Sofia^[6]

• 
  A Group: 1986–87, 1988–89, 1989–90
  


• 
  Bulgarian Cup: 1984–85, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89
  


• 
  Bulgarian Supercup: 1989
  

Barcelona^[6]

• 
  La Liga: 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1997–98
  


• 
  Supercopa de España: 1992, 1994, 1996
  


• 
  European Cup/UEFA Champions League: 1991–92
  


• 
  European Super Cup: 1992, 1997
  


• 
  Copa del Rey: 1996–97
  


• 
  UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1996–97
  

Al-Nassr

• 
  Asian Cup Winners' Cup: 1997–98
  

Chicago Fire

• 
  U.S. Open Cup: 2000
  

International

Bulgaria^[6]

• 
  FIFA World Cup Semi-Finals: 1994
  

Individual

• 
  Ballon d'Or: 1994^[6]
  


• 
  Bulgarian Footballer of the Year: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994


• 
  Bulgarian League Top Scorer: 1989, 1990^[42]
  


• 
  European Cup Winners' Cup Top Scorer: 1989^[43]
  


• 
  European Golden Shoe: 1990^[6]
  


• 
  Onze d'Or: 1992^[44]
  


• 
  UNICEF European Footballer of the Season: 1991–92^[45]
  


• 
  FIFA World Player of the Year Silver Ball: 1992,^[6] 1994^[46][47]
  


• 
  FIFA World Cup Golden Shoe: 1994^[6]
  


• 
  FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball: 1994^[47]
  


• 
  FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1994^[48]
  


• 
  Don Balón Award Best tip in La Liga: 1994^[49]
  


• 
  Onze d'Argent: 1994^[44]
  


• 
  IFFHS World's Top Goal Scorer of the Year: 1994^[50]
  


• 
  Bulgarian Sportsperson of the Year: 1994


• 
  UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament: 1996^[51]
  


• "Excellence Guirlande D'Honneur" and he entered in the FICTS "Hall of Fame".^[52]
  


• 
  UEFA Jubilee Awards – Greatest Bulgarian Footballer of the last 50 Years: 2004^[53]
  


• 
  FIFA 100: 2004^[54]
  


• 
  World Soccer's 100 Greatest Players of the 20th Century: 2007^[55]
  


• 
  Golden Foot: 2007, as football legend^[56]
  

Manager

Club

Mamelodi Sundowns

• 
  Premier Soccer League Runner-up: 2009–10
  

Individual

• 
  Premier Soccer League: Coach of the Month: December 2009^[57]
  

Further honours

• In November 2003, to celebrate UEFA's Jubilee, he was selected as the Golden Player of Bulgaria by the Bulgarian Football Union as their most outstanding player of the past 50 years.^[58]
  


• He was named by Pelé as one of the 125 Greatest Living Footballers at a FIFA Awards ceremony in 2004.


• In 2011 he was named honorary consul of Bulgaria in Barcelona. In October 2017 he was removed from the position on the request of the Spanish government over his criticisms of this government (especially the deputy prime minister, Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría) in relation with the Catalan independence referendum, as well as the fact that he lives mainly in the United States.^[59].

Notes

References

External links

Media related to Hristo Stoichkov at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website


• 
  Hristo Stoichkov – FIFA competition record (archive)


• 
  Hristo Stoichkov at National-Football-Teams.com
  


• 
  Hristo Stoichkov at J.League (in Japanese)
  


• 
  Stoichkov`s goal (FK) J.League official


• Hristo Stoichkov on BarcaMania.com


• Autobiography


• 
  Stoichkov Profile, stats and news


• UEFA.com – Golden Player of Bulgaria