amassed totals of 294 matches and 196 goals in the top division, the second best achievement after Petar Zhekov; only with his main club, Levski, he scored 165 times in 205 games, a club record. Sirakov briefly managed Slavia Sofia in 1997. In the following decade, he worked as director of football for Levski, being fired on 7 May 2008, and being succeeded by former club and national teammate Daniel Borimirov. International career Sirakov was also a regular for Bulgaria during 13 years, making his debut on 7 August 1983, against Algeria. He represented the nation at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico – scoring against Italy in the group stage (1–1) and helping the national team to the round of 16 – and at the 1994 World Cup in the United States: during the latter, as Bulgaria finished in a best-ever fourth position, he played in all the matches, scoring against Argentina for a 2–0 group stage win, also earning penalties against Greece and in the semifinal loss against Italy. Aged 34, Sirakov was also picked for UEFA Euro 1996 in England, playing the last of his 78 matches (24 goals) on 13 June, against Romania, after replacing Lyuboslav Penev in a 1–0 win. Immediately after retiring from international play, Sirakov served as assistant to the national team, appearing with it at the 1998 World Cup. Personal life Sirakov is married to Iliana Raeva, a distinguished Bulgarian rhythmic gymnast. They have two daughters, named Slaveya and Violeta. His father, the wrestler Petko Sirakov, was the first world champion from Bulgaria. Career statistics International Scores and results list Bulgaria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sirakov goal. Honours Levski Sofia A Group: 1983–84, 1984–85, 1987–88, 1992–93, 1993–94 Bulgarian Cup: 1983–84, 1985–86, 1991–92, 1993–94 Cup of the Soviet Army: 1983–84, 1986–87, 1987–88 Slavia Sofia A Group: 1995–96 Bulgarian Cup: 1995–96 Bulgaria FIFA World Cup: fourth place 1994 Individual A Group top scorer: 1986–87 (36 goals), 1987–88 (28 goals), 1991–92 (26 goals), 1993–94 (30 goals) European Golden Shoe third place: 1986–87 References External links Bulgarian Sport Catalog profile Profile at LevskiSofia.info 1962 births Living people Bulgarian footballers Bulgaria international footballers Association football forwards PFC Levski Sofia players PFC Spartak Varna players FC Haskovo players Real Zaragoza players RCD Espanyol footballers RC Lens players Botev Plovdiv players PFC Slavia Sofia players First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) players La Liga