Valentin Iliev Ivanov (; born 11 August 1980) is a Bulgarian professional football and former player who is currently in charge of CSKA Sofia II.

Personal life Iliev's father, Iliya Valov, was goalkeeper for CSKA and Bulgaria's national team.

Playing career

Early career Iliev started his career in his home town Vratsa, where he played for the local team Botev Vratsa. In June 2001 he signed with Ukrainian club Metalurg from Zaporizhzhya, where he played 21 matches and scored one goal.

CSKA Sofia In November 2004, Iliev joined CSKA Sofia. He collected his first A Group title winner's medal at the end of the 2004–05 season. Iliev scored 4 league goals in 18 matches that season.

On 23 August 2005, Iliev scored a goal, which helped CSKA secure a historic 1–0 away win over Liverpool in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. However, it did not help them qualify for the Champions League group phase, as the "armymen" were eliminated after an aggregate score of 2–3, having lost their home game. He developed a knack for scoring key goals for CSKA, making good use of his powerful heading ability. In April 2006, Iliev was given the captain's armband, as Emil Gargorov was stripped from that role as a result of loss in the Eternal derby of Bulgarian football against Levski Sofia.

In July 2006, it was announced that Iliev would be CSKA's permanent club captain. On 30 July, he captained the team that won the 2006 Bulgarian Supercup against Levski Sofia. Iliev helped CSKA to keep a clean sheet throughout the match, as they defeated Levski 3–0 on penalties. On 28 September 2006, he scored his second-ever European goal in a 2–2 home draw (after extra time) against Beşiktaş in the first round of the 2006–07 UEFA Cup.

Despite some disciplinary issues, most notably his physical confrontation with Jose Emilio Furtado in May 2007, resulting in Iliev being stripped of the CSKA captaincy, he remained a cult figure for CSKA fans.

Terek Grozny Iliev signed with Russian side Terek Grozny in February 2008 on a two-and-a-half-year deal for a reported fee of €750,000. His first goal in the Russian Premier League came on 3 August, scoring the only goal in a 1–0 home win over Saturn Ramenskoye. On 23 August, he scored the winning goal for a 2–1 win against Lokomotiv Moscow. On 2 November 2008, Iliev scored another vital goal, this time a last-minute equaliser, in a 1–1 home draw against FC Moscow.

Iliev left Terek in February 2010, cancelling his contract by mutual agreement two months before it expired.

Universitatea Craiova On 11 February 2010, Iliev signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with Romanian club Universitatea Craiova as a free agent.

Steaua București In February 2011, Iliev signed a contract for one and a half years with Steaua București. On 19 December 2011, Iliev scored his first goal for Steaua against CSU Vointa Sibiu in a Liga 1 match, goal which proved to be decisive.

Volyn Lutsk On 12 July 2012, Iliev joined Ukrainian club Volyn Lutsk on a two-year deal.

Return to CSKA Sofia On 16 July 2013, Iliev re-signed with CSKA Sofia and was announced as CSKA's new club captain. He made his second CSKA debut in a 0–0 home draw against Cherno More on 3 August. Iliev scored his first goal since his return to the club on 24 August, scoring an equaliser, away to Lokomotiv Sofia in a 1–1 draw. On 16 April 2014, he signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him at CSKA until 30 June 2015. He ended 2013–14 season with 4 goals in 28 matches.

In October 2014, Iliev underwent an ankle surgery on his right foot. Following surgery, he was ruled out for about three months. He returned to first team action in April 2015.

Universitatea Craiova On 29 September 2015, Iliev signed a one-year contract with Romanian club Universitatea Craiova as a free agent.

International career In October 2010, after a long absence from the national team, Iliev was recalled to the national side by the new manager Lothar Matthäus for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales. On 8 October 2010, he started the match, but sustained an injury during the first half and was replaced by Pavel Vidanov.

Managerial career Iliev joined CSKA 1948 in 2016 and oversaw successive promotions, from the fourth tier to the Second League. He was sacked after four matches of the 2018–19 season.

Outside football Iliev is a sexton at a church in Bistritsa.

Career statistics

Club

+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCSKA Sofia2004–05A Group18400——1842005–06A Group2413081103622006–07A Group2312051103122007–08A Group1411030—181 Total79760162201039Terek Grozny 2008Russian Premier League25300——2532009Russian Premier League22200——222 Total475000000475Universitatea Craiova2009–10Liga I15300——1532010–11Liga I10300——103 Total256000000256Steaua București2010–11Liga I401000—502011–12Liga I2242060—304 Total264306000354Volyn Lutsk2012–13Ukrainian Premier League18000——180CSKA Sofia2013–14A Group28440——3242014–15A Group1210000—121 Total405400000445 Career total235271302222027229

Managerial statistics

+ Managerial record by team and tenure Team From To RecordCSKA 19482 September 201621 August 201820526179CSKA 1948 II30 May 202214 December 202231922Spartak Varna6 June 202322 August 202345-1CSKA 1948 II21 September 20235 April 20241516-1CSKA 19485 April 202429 October 202428271CSKA Sofia II16 September 202520 September 2025000CSKA Sofia (caretaker)20 September 202524 September 2025110CSKA Sofia II 24 September 202527 July 2026441915Career total328103225

Honours CSKA Sofia First Professional Football League: 2004–05 Bulgarian Cup: 2005–06 Bulgarian Supercup: 2006

Steaua București Cupa României: 2010–11

Individual Best A PFG defender: 2005

References

External links Official FCSB profile