Aleksandar Kostov facts for kids
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Aleksandar Dimitrov Kostov | ||
| Date of birth | 2 March 1938 | ||
| Place of birth | Sofia, Bulgaria | ||
| Date of death | 15 April 2019 (aged 81) | ||
| Place of death | Sofia, Bulgaria | ||
| Playing position | Forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1953–1956 | Levski Sofia | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1957–1960 | Levski Sofia | 33 | (8) |
| 1960–1961 | Botev Plovdiv | 20 | (13) |
| 1961–1970 | Levski Sofia | 235 | (56) |
| Total | 301 | (78) | |
| National team | |||
| 1962–1967 | Bulgaria | 7 | (1) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1973–1980 | Levski Sofia (assistant) | ||
| 1980–1982 | Haskovo | ||
| 1982–1984 | Alki Larnaca | ||
| 1984–1987 | Ethnikos Achna | ||
| 1987–1988 | Marsa | ||
| 1989–1991 | Marsa | ||
|
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Aleksandar Dimitrov Kostov (Bulgarian: Александър Димитров Костов) was a famous Bulgarian football player and manager. He was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, on March 2, 1938. He passed away in Sofia on April 15, 2019, at the age of 81.
Kostov was best known for his time playing for Levski Sofia. He was a forward, which means he played at the front of the team to score goals. During his career, he helped Levski Sofia win many important championships. He also played for the Bulgarian national team in two FIFA World Cup tournaments. After he stopped playing, he became a successful football manager.
A Football Star: Player Career
Aleksandar Kostov started his football journey in 1953. He joined the youth team of Levski Sofia. This is one of the biggest football clubs in Bulgaria. He played there until 1956, learning and improving his skills.
In 1957, Kostov joined the senior team of Levski Sofia. He quickly became a key player. He played for them for several years, showing his talent as a forward. He also played a short time for Botev Plovdiv in 1960-1961.
Kostov returned to Levski Sofia in 1961. He stayed with the club until 1970. During these years, he helped his team win many big titles. He won the top Bulgarian football league three times. He also won the Bulgarian Cup five times. These were very important victories for the club.
Kostov also played for his country. He was part of the Bulgarian national team. He played in seven international matches and scored one goal. He represented Bulgaria in the FIFA World Cup twice. He played in the 1962 World Cup in Chile. He also played in the 1966 World Cup in England. Playing in the World Cup is a huge achievement for any footballer.
From Player to Coach: Manager Career
After his playing career ended, Aleksandar Kostov became a football manager. He used his experience to guide other teams. He started as an assistant manager at Levski Sofia from 1973 to 1980.
He then managed several clubs, including Haskovo in Bulgaria. He also managed teams outside Bulgaria. He coached Alki Larnaca and Ethnikos Achna in Cyprus.
One of his notable achievements as a manager was with Marsa. This is a club from Tunisia. He managed them in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In the 1989–90 season, he led Marsa to win the Tunisian Cup. This was a great success for the club and for Kostov as a coach.
Aleksandar Kostov was a respected figure in Bulgarian football. He contributed a lot to the sport as both a player and a manager.
Honours
Player
- Levski Sofia
- Bulgarian League: 1964–65, 1967–68, 1969–70
- Bulgarian Cup: 1957, 1959, 1967, 1970, 1971
Manager
- Marsa
- Tunisian Cup: 1989–90
