Bulgarian coach Markov sacked

Plamen Markov has been sacked as Bulgaria coach, the Bulgarian Football Union confirmed on Tuesday.

The BFU’s executive committee voted unanimously to dismiss Markov after he refused to bow to growing pressure to resign.

Bulgaria have managed only three points in their World Cup qualifying campaign, drawing each of their three Group Eight matches, and are now seven points behind Italy and four behind Ireland.

Markov’s contract had been due to expire at the end of 2009.