Coach Hristo Stoichkov has the full backing of Bulgaria's soccer authorities despite the growing criticism he is facing, the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) said yesterday. Flamboyant Stoichkov, one of Bulgarian soccer icons, was strongly criticised for the humiliating 5-1 defeat by Scotland in a Kirin Cup friendly on Thursday.

"Hristo has all our support," said BFU's vice-president Yordan Lechkov, after returning from the exhibition tournament in Japan. "No one doubts that Stoichkov is the right man for Bulgarian team."

Former European Footballer of the Year Stoichkov succeeded Plamen Markov after Bulgaria's poor performance at the Euro 2004.

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