Atanas Ribarski discusses career influences and mentors

Atanas Ribarski, the interim coach of the Bulgarian national football team, shared insights into his professional and personal journey during a Bulgarian Football Union podcast. Ribarski reflected on his transition from a youth striker to a defender and identified the late Trifon Ivanov as a major idol who influenced his choice of jersey number.

Ribarski also paid tribute to the late coach Ferario Spasov, with whom he worked at Beroe. He credited Spasov with teaching him essential lessons about coaching, specifically regarding the importance of team microclimate and locker room dynamics. Ribarski noted that Spasov possessed a unique ability to discover talent and maintain composure in difficult situations.