Both Bulgaria and Ireland are looking for a new coach after an unsuccessful Euro 2008 campaign and in preparation to face each other in World Cup 2010 qualifiers.

Bulgaria and Ireland were drawn together in Group Eight alongside World champions Italy, Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro. Squadra Azzurra is the obvious choice to take the first place but no one could make a 100 per cent choice between Bulgaria and Ireland for second. The bookmakers are giving a slight advantage to Bulgaria while the two countries' football officials simultaneously expressed hopes to clinch the second place, almost conceding Italy's superiority.

Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) chairman Borislav Mihailov said it was more appropriate to target the play-off place than to lift expectations of the top spot. He was happy to hear some comments that Ireland was a favourite for second place: "It sounds very good; we always win if not considered as favourites."

Football Association of Ireland head John Delaney was satisfied with the group and said that he was hopeful about the Republic of Ireland's chances: "Although we are the third seed, we'll be going for the play-offs."

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni remarked that none of his team's group opponents "have a great football tradition" but he still believed that they would represent "difficult" challenges: "Bulgaria is probably the main contender for us in this group. Montenegro, as with all of the former Yugoslavia nations, are difficult opponents. And let's not even talk about Ireland."

However, Italian Federation president Giancarlo Abete was delighted after the draw: "We could not have asked for better. As world champions, we should win this group." And the Italian media is considering the draw so easy, which is dangerous for Azzurri motivation.

Bulgaria and Ireland finished third in their respective groups for Euro 2008, behind Romania and the Netherlands in group G, and Czech Republic and Germany in group D, respectively. The Bulgarian team changed two coaches, Hristo Stoichkov and interim Stanimir Stoilov, and ended the campaign on a high note under legendary Dimitar Penev. Penev will welcome a new contract but it looks like he is not the first option for the Bulgarian Football Union.

Chairman Borislav Mihailov prefers Stoilov but the young coach is ruling himself out, choosing to stay at Levski Sofia. The other option for BFU is to appoint a foreign manager for the first time in its history. Several foreign names have been linked as a possible appointments, including Germans Lothar Matthaeus, Bertie Vogts and Winnie Schaefer, Slovenian Srecko Katanec and Croat Zlatko Kranjcar. But BFU could face difficulties to meet their wage demands. Mihailov waited to see the World Cup draw in Durban in order to take the main decision - Bulgarian or foreign coach. When returned from South Africa, he said that he has still no idea and promised the choice would be made in early January.

Ex-England boss Terry Venables has emerged as a strong favourite to succeed Steve Staunton in Ireland. Gerard Houllier and David O`Leary have also been linked with the Republic job while former Cameroon boss and Holland star Arie Hann has joined Graeme Souness and Philippe Troussier in publicly expressing interest in the role.

The Irish are much ahead in terms of friendly games. On February 6 2008 they will host the mighty Brazil in Dublin, while Mihailov is desperate and also behind schedule to find Bulgaria an opponent for that date. BFU's chairman admitted to facing serious problems with that task.

There are very curious connections between the international players of the two countries. Both teams have a quality squads full of Premier League players and their star men are more than familiar. Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov are striking partners at Tottenham Hotspur, but now they will go head to head in World Cup 2010 qualifying as captains of their respective countries. The other big names are also very similar as they play the same position, left-wingers Martin Petrov from Manchester City and Damien Duff from Newcastle. Martin Petrov and injured striker Valeri Bojinov are teammates in City with a couple of Irish players. Midfielder Stilian Petrov also has friends in the Irish squad from his past years in Celtic and present in Aston Villa.