Hristo Stoichkov was appointed coach of Primera Liga strugglers Celta Vigo after quitting his post in charge of the Bulgarian national team yesterday.

"The club has closed an agreement with the Bulgarian who was up until now the coach of his national side," Celta said.

Celta added that the former Barcelona player was expected to arrive in Vigo last night and would give a news conference today.

The Galicians sacked coach Fernando Vazquez on Monday after the side dropped into the relegation zone following a 4-2 defeat at Recreativo Huelva.

Earlier the Bulgarian football federation said Stoichkov had notified them that he had decided to quit his post.

"We have accepted the resignation of Bulgaria coach Hristo Stoichkov and team manager Dimitar Dimitrov," Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) president Borislav Mihailov said.

Stoichkov, who failed to lead Bulgaria to last year's World Cup finals, had come in for heavy criticism from the media and fans in recent months after lacklustre performances by the team.

Bulgaria drew 0-0 against Albania in a Euro 2008 qualifier last month, leaving them third in Group G with nine points from five matches, five behind leaders the Netherlands, who have played a game more.

Stoichkov took over as coach from Plamen Markov after Bulgaria's poor display at the Euro 2004 finals.