Borislav Mihaylov

Borislav Mihaylov
Borislav Mihaylov
	Mihaylov in 2014
President of the Bulgarian Football Union
	In office; 21 October 2005 – 18 October 2019
Preceded by	Ivan Slavkov
Succeeded by	Mihail Kasabov (interim)
President of the Bulgarian Football Union
	In office; 12 October 2021 – 27 November 2023
Preceded by	Mihail Kasabov (interim)
Succeeded by	Emil Kostadinov (interim)
Personal details
Born	Borislav Biserov Mihaylov; 12 February 1963 (age 61); Sofia, PR Bulgaria
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Occupation	Footballer; football administrator;
Position(s)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years	Team
1981–1989	Levski Sofia
1989–1991	Belenenses
1992–1994	Mulhouse
1994–1995	Botev Plovdiv
1995–1997	Reading
1997–1998	Slavia Sofia
1998	FC Zürich
Total
International career
1983–1998	Bulgaria
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Borislav Biserov Mihaylov (Bulgarian: Борислав Бисеров Михайлов; born 12 February 1963^[1]) is a Bulgarian former professional footballer, who played as a goalkeeper, and Former President of the Bulgarian Football Union (2005 – 2019; 2021 – 2023). He is the longest-serving president of the Bulgarian Football Union, he has been at the head of the organization for 16 years. He is also a former member of the executive committee of UEFA.

Mihaylov was captain of the Bulgaria national team during their major fourth-place run at the 1994 FIFA World Cup (during the shoot-out against Mexico at the 1/8-final stage he saved two penalties), as well as during their participation in UEFA Euro 1996. He also played at the 1986 FIFA World Cup and 1998 FIFA World Cup and is currently the second most-capped player of the Bulgaria national football team with 102 appearances, and the footballer with the most matches played (60) as captain.

Club career

In 1995, Mihaylov joined English First Division team Reading for a then club record of £800,000, replacing the departed club favourite Shaka Hislop. However his time at the club was marked by a series of injuries, and his club career in England never took off.

Administrative roles

After retiring from active sports he started a career in football administration. He was vice-president of the Bulgarian Football Union from 2001 until 2005, when he replaced Ivan Slavkov as president of the Bulgarian Football Union.

On 22 March 2011, he was elected to the executive committee of UEFA.^{[citation needed]}

On 15 October 2019, Mihaylov resigned as President of BFU after being asked to step down for ignoring racist behavior during games.^[2]

On 28 April 2021, after a meeting with BFU, Mihaylov became the president again.

On 27 November 2023, he resigned again as President of BFU after a lot of pressure from football fans and being asked by a lot of famous people and politicians from Bulgaria, to step down from the position.

Personal life

In 1998, he married Maria Petrova, a former prominent rhythmic gymnast. Borislav is the son of former goalkeeper Biser Mihaylov and the father of, also goalkeeper, Nikolay Mihaylov, who is currently playing for Levski Sofia, while his younger daughter Elinor is a tennis player.

Honours

Levski Sofia

Bulgarian Champion: 1984, 1985, 1988
Bulgarian Cup winner: 1982, 1984, 1986
Cup of the Soviet Army: 1984, 1987, 1988

Individual

Bulgarian Footballer of the Year: 1986

References

^ Borislav Mikhailov, Fifa.com
^ Shumanov, Metodi (15 October 2019). "Bulgarian football president resigns after racist abuse in England game". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 May 2021.

[1] Borislav Mikhailov, Fifa.com

[2] Shumanov, Metodi (15 October 2019). "Bulgarian football president resigns after racist abuse in England game". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 May 2021.

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