Julio Velazquez named Coach of the Year in Bulgaria

Julio Velazquez has been named Coach of the Year in Bulgaria following a successful campaign with Levski Sofia. The Spanish tactician led the club to a league title, ending a 17-year championship drought and breaking the dominance of Ludogorets.

Following this achievement and the transition of club ownership to Atanas Bostandzhiev, Velazquez has received a significant salary increase. He reportedly now earns 50,000 euros per month, making him the highest-paid coach in the Bulgarian First League. Velazquez previously signed a contract extension in October 2025 that keeps him with the club until the summer of 2028, despite interest from foreign clubs such as Italy's Sampdoria.