Dinko Dermendzhiev

Dinko Tsvetkov Dermendzhiev (; 2 June 1941 – 1 May 2019), nicknamed Chico was a Bulgarian footballer and coach.

Club career Dinko Dermendzhiev began his youth career in Maritsa Plovdiv. Initially, he played as a goalkeeper, although later he would be famed as a skillful and elegant forward.

Dermendzhiev spent his entire professional career with Botev Plovdiv, playing for the club for 19 years during the 1960s and 1970s. He participated in 447 matches in A Grupa and scored 194 goals for the club. Dermendzhiev would score twice in eight UEFA club competition games. He also holds the third place in the all time goalscorers ranking of A Grupa. Throughout his career Dermendzhiev scored seven hat-tricks.

International career He made 58 appearances for the Bulgaria national football team and scored 19 goals from 1966 to 1977. He participated at three editions of FIFA World Cup in 1962 (2 games), 1966 (2 games) and 1970 (2 games and 1 goal), scoring the opening goal of 1970 against Peru, which coincidentally took place on his birthday.

Coaching career The first team Dermendzhiev coached was Chepinets. He then took charge of Botev Plovdiv, leading the club to win the 1980–81 Bulgarian Cup. On 30 September 1981, under his guidance the club achieved a glorious 1–0 victory over FC Barcelona. Dermendzhiev would spend several spells in charge of Botev. He would also coach local rivals Lokomotiv Plovdiv, as well as Shumen, Lokomotiv Sofia, Spartak Pleven, Maritsa Plovdiv, Omonia Aradippou, Hebar Pazardzhik, Chernomorets Burgas, Bulgaria U21, and have a short spell at Levski Sofia where he achieved 8 wins and 2 draws in 1991.

Honours Club Honours Player Bulgarian Cup: 1962, Runner-up: 1963, 1964 A Grupa: 1967, Runner-up: 1963, 3rd place: 1961 Balkans Cup: 1972

Manager Bulgarian Cup: 1981, Runner-up: 1984, 1991 A Grupa 3rd place: 1981, 1983 Balkans Cup Runner-up: 1981

Individual honours Best football player of Plovdiv: 1966, 1967, 1976 Best football player of Botev Plovdiv for 20th century

International goals No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 11 June 1967 Råsunda Stadion, Solna, Sweden 2–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 1968 qualifying 2. 26 November 1967 Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria 1–0 1–0 3. 6 April 1968 2–1 3–2 UEFA Euro 1968 quarter-finals 4. 15 June 1969 2–0 4–1 1970 FIFA World Cup qualification 5. 7 December 1969 Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg 1–0 3–1 6. 2 June 1970 Estadio Nou Camp, León, Mexico 1–0 2–3 1970 FIFA World Cup