( dpa ) - Plamen Markov agreed on Friday to take the helm of the Bulgarian national football team for the second time. The 50-year-old coach signed a two-year contract with the Bulgarian Football Union (BFS), allowing him to lead the team through the qualifying round for 2010 World Cup in South Africa, BFS President Borislav Mikhailov confirmed.
Mikhailov said that Markov is very familiar with the team, having worked with the players from 2002-2004.
Markov replaces Dimitar Penev as coach, who assumed the role after Bulgarian football legend Hristo Stoichkov resigned citing "internal disputes" in April 2007.
Markov, who played for Bulgaria in the 1986 World Cup, said that his main goal was to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. Bulgaria is set to play current world champion Italy, the Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Montenegro and Georgia in the qualifying round.