Under-fire Stoilov gets full backing from Bulgarian FA

By Angel Krasimirov

SOFIA (Reuters) - Under-pressure Bulgaria coach Stanimir Stoilov will remain in charge of the national team after receiving the backing of the Balkan country's football association (BFU) on Wednesday.

Stoilov, 42, replaced Plamen Markov in February but Bulgaria failed to qualify for next year's World Cup finals after finishing third in Group Eight behind automatic qualifiers Italy and Ireland who secured a playoff place.

Amid speculation he could lose his job, Stoilov met with the BFU to discuss Bulgaria's recent poor results, including last month's humiliating 4-1 away loss to Cyprus.

"There was a lively discussion," BFU president Borislav Mihaylov told a news conference.

"He (Stoilov) took charge after the third match (in the qualifying campaign) to try to lead the team for the 2010 finals but his main task was to qualify Bulgaria for the Euro 2012 finals."

"Yes, we suffered this shameful defeat in Cyprus but he received unanimous support by the executive committee's members after all," he said.

"We all agreed that it's not the right time for changes and also there are no (appropriate) alternatives at the moment."