Former Maccabi Tel Aviv Coach Zarko Lazetic Eyed by CSKA Sofia

Serbian coach Zarko Lazetic, recently dismissed from Saudi club Al-Taawoun after a brief and unsuccessful stint, is reportedly a candidate to manage Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia. Lazetic was previously fired by Maccabi Tel Aviv in January. CSKA Sofia is seeking a new head coach following the resignation of Hristo Yanev. The Bulgarian team notably eliminated Maccabi Tel Aviv from the Europa League qualifiers last month, winning the first leg 3-0 and advancing 4-3 on aggregate despite losing the second leg 3-1.

According to Bulgarian outlet "Tema Sport," the 44-year-old Lazetic is among the coaches being considered by CSKA Sofia's management. Lazetic is recognized in his home country for his promising coaching career, particularly his successful tenure with Backa Topola, whom he led to second and third-place finishes in the Serbian league and a Europa League group stage appearance.

CSKA Sofia confirmed Yanev's resignation earlier this month and is reportedly in the final stages of selecting a new coach. The club has reviewed over 20 candidates, narrowing down the list to a few. Besides Lazetic, Spanish coaches Juan Francisco Ferrer-Robisi and Asier Garitano have also been mentioned. Other potential candidates like Aleksei Shpilevsky have been ruled out, and Jose Luis Mendilibar was also considered.

The Bulgarian report suggests a Spanish coach is the leading candidate, but the possibility of appointing someone like Lazetic remains open. CSKA Sofia is keeping the identity of the final negotiation candidate confidential, but an announcement is expected soon. If Lazetic is appointed, he would take charge of the team that recently caused one of his former club's European disappointments.