Ludogorets Fires Coach Ahead of Conference League Match Against Hapoel Tel Aviv

Ludogorets, the Bulgarian football club linked with Israeli coach Barak Itzhaki, has dismissed its head coach Matthias Höghmo ahead of the second round Conference League match against Hapoel Tel Aviv. This decision follows Ludogorets losing the Bulgarian league title for the first time in 14 years, ending one of Europe's longest championship streaks. The club is now seeking a replacement for the Norwegian coach, with the leading candidate being Alberto Riera, a former Liverpool player and recent Eintracht Frankfurt coach. Riera has yet to confirm his acceptance, and if talks fail, the club may turn to Barak Itzhaki as a secondary option.

Itzhaki, who coached Beitar Jerusalem last season, is currently considering offers abroad and would need to evaluate the financial and professional conditions with his family if approached. The estimated salary for the new Ludogorets coach ranges between 700,000 and 800,000 euros, significantly higher than Itzhaki's previous earnings in Israel. Itzhaki's agent, Dudu Dahan, is closely connected to Ludogorets and has facilitated several Israeli players joining the club, including Taleb Tawatha, Mavis Tchibota, Dan Biton, Danny Grofier, and Idan Nachmias, who will face Hapoel Tel Aviv in the upcoming match. The coaching change marks a significant shift for Ludogorets as they prepare for their European competition clash.