News is pouring in that Yasen Petrov, the godfather of Bulgarian soccer, a foreign coach who has been working in Chinese soccer for many years, is about to start his new chapter with the Qingdao Sea Cowboys. The Peninsula Metropolis Daily revealed that Yasen is in the midst of immigration procedures, aiming to arrive in the beautiful seaside city before the New Year's bell rings.
Qingdao Sea Cowboys club executives announced in an internal meeting that the much-anticipated new season's head coach has been decided, and Yasen Petrov will officially take over the coaching whip. His footprints in Chinese soccer have long left a deep mark, not only the fans in Wuhan and Shijiazhuang are impressed by him.
The name Yasen Petrov is like a heavy history for Chinese fans. Since 1997, when he stepped into the Chinese soccer arena as a Bulgarian international footballer, then as a player for Wuhan Yaqi, and then as the head coach of Shijiazhuang Yongchang, his relationship with Chinese soccer can be described as deep. Fans affectionately called him "the most personal manager" because after the game, he always appeared on the street, sharing kebabs with fans, a grounded action that won him countless fans. 2013, Yassen took charge of Shijiazhuang Yongchang for the first time, and the following year, he led the team to the Super League, achieving the seventh place in the Super League until 2016, when he left the post. In 2018, he returned to Yongchang, playing for the team for 10 months. He has also coached Henan Jianye and Beijing Beitidai.
It is reported that Yassen will be joined by two assistants upon his arrival in China. Meanwhile, the Qingdao Manatees will also retain their Chinese coaching team, with the new coaching staff expected to be officially unveiled next week.
