Former national football team coach Hristo Stoichkov is the new coach of Spanish team Celta, the team’s official website said.

Stoichkov announced his resignation as national team coach on April 10. The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) accepted his decision.

Celta confirmed that negotiations with Stoichkov have been finalised and he will arrive in Spain on the evening of April 10.

Focus Sport agency reported that Stoichkov quit his position after the poor performance of the national team in the Euro 2008 qualification matches. A draw against Albania gives Bulgaria minor chances to qualify for the championship.

Stoichkov said that the draw was not his reason to leave.

Former national team coach Dimitar Penev said that Stoichkov’s decision was surprising.

Bulgaria still had chances to qualify for Euro 2008, Penev said. The new coach had enough time until the coming match against Belarus to prepare the team, he said.

Penev congratulated Stoichkov for his appointment at Celta. Stoichkov is good enough to become the coach of any team, Penev said.