Grant unlikely to land Bulgaria manager’s job

FORMER Chelsea coach Avram Grant has met the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) to discuss the vacant post of national manager but is unlikely to be appointed because of salary demands.

The Republic of Ireland’s World Cup Qualifier Group 8 opponents Bulgaria are seeking a replacement for Plamen Markov, who was sacked last month following three draws in 2010 World Cup qualifiers and the humiliating 6-1 loss against Serbia in a friendly.

“I’ve talked several times to Avram Grant and Klaus Toppmoeller but we couldn’t reach agreement,” union president Borislav Mihaylov said yesterday.

“We’re still unable to meet their financial demands.” Mihaylov added that the next coach will be a Bulgarian. Markov’s successor will be announced at the BFU’s congress on Jan 30. Litex Lovech’s coach Stanimir Stoilov has been installed as favourite for the post with former Bulgaria midfielder Krasimir Balakov also mentioned as a possible choice.