Ludogorets Fires Coach Ahead of Conference League Clash with Hapoel Tel Aviv

Ludogorets, the Bulgarian football club linked with Israeli player Barak Itzhaki, has dismissed its coach Matthias Högmo just before their second-round Conference League match against Hapoel Tel Aviv. This decision follows Ludogorets losing their championship title for the first time in 14 years, ending one of Europe's longest football dynasties. The club is now searching for a new head coach, with former Beitar Jerusalem coach mentioned as a candidate, though he is currently a secondary option.

The leading candidate for the coaching position is Alberto Riera, a former Liverpool player and recent Eintracht Frankfurt coach, who has yet to confirm his acceptance. Should negotiations with Riera fail, Ludogorets may turn to Barak Itzhaki, who is currently a secondary priority. Itzhaki, whose agent Dudu Dahan has strong ties with the Bulgarian club, will need to consider the offer carefully, including the financial terms, which range between 700,000 and 800,000 euros annually, significantly higher than his earnings in Israel.

Dudu Dahan, Itzhaki's agent, has facilitated several Israeli players' transfers to Ludogorets, including Taleb Tawatha, Mavis Tchibota, Dan Biton, Danny Grofier, and Idan Nachmias, who will face the team coached by Eli'aniv Bereda. Itzhaki is expected to decide over the summer whether to accept a potential offer from Ludogorets, balancing career prospects and family considerations.