Overview
- The Bulgarian Football Association confirmed Penev’s death on Saturday and its president Georgi Ivanov called it a black day for the country’s sport.
- Penev led Bulgaria to the 1994 World Cup semifinals, highlighted by a 2-1 quarterfinal win over defending champion Germany in East Rutherford.
- Bulgaria finished fourth at that tournament after a 2-1 semifinal loss to Italy and a 4-0 defeat to Sweden in the third-place match.
- He was recognized as the best Bulgarian coach of the 20th century and was widely regarded as a national football icon.
- As a defender he played at the 1966, 1970 and 1974 World Cups, spent much of his career with CSKA/ZSKA Sofia, coached the national team from 1991 to 1996, and returned briefly in 2007.