ILIAN ILIEV has named Bulgaria’s squad for the Nations League play-off against Ireland – even though he may not be in charge.
Iliev’s position has been under scrutiny since Bulgarian Professional League president Atanas Karaivanov accused him of trying to interfere in referee appointments and a cup draw.
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Bulgaria manager Ilian Iliev has been under scrutiny ahead of the play-off clash vs Ireland
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Republic of Ireland face their Bulgarian counterparts next week in a crucial game for both sides
As well as being national team boss, he is also in charge of club Cherno More.
On foot of those allegations which he refutes, Iliev – who also denies claims he attacked Levski Sofia player Maicon during a league game – tendered his resignation.
The Bulgarian Football Union is set to consider his resignation at a meeting on Wednesday, just eight days before the first leg of the promotion/relegation play-off.
But, in the meantime, Iliev has named his squad which includes his son, Ilian Iliev Junior, a midfielder with CSKA Sofia.
He has called up three uncapped players, Septemvri Sofia keeper Dimitar Sheytanov, midfielder Kristiyan Stoyanov and striker Vladimir Nikolov, both of whom play for Slavia Sofia.
Midfielder Todor Nedelev and forwards Spas Delev and Svetoslav Kovachev are all missing through injury but a host of players over the age of 30 have been jettisoned since their 5-0 defeat to Northern Ireland last October.
Buglaria squad: Mitov (Aberdeen), P Iliev (Cherno More), Sheitanov (Septemvri); Antov (Cremonese), A Petkov (Slask Wroclaw), S Petrov (Fehervar), Nurnberger (Darmstadt), H Petrov (Heerenveen), Atanasov (Cherno More ), Dimitrov (Levski Sofia), Popov (Cherno More, Minkov (Botev Plovdiv), Nedyalkov (Ludogorets); Gruev (Leeds United), Kraev (Casa Pia), Krastev (PEC Zwolle), Milanov (Dinamo Bucharest), Panayotov (Cherno More), Stoyanov (Slavia Sofia), M Petkov (Levski Sofia), Iliev Junior (CSKA Sofia), Shopov (CSKA Sofia); Despodov (PAOK), Kraev (Western Sydney Wanderers), L Petkov (SV Elversberg), Kirilov (CSKA 1948), Ivanov (Arda), Vladimir Nikolov (Slavia Sofia).