The president of the Bulgarian soccer federation (BFU) has announced that former German international Lothar Matthaeus will be the new national team coach.

Borislav Mihaylov said that Matthaus, who has coached the Hungarian national team and several club teams, will take over for Stanimir Stoilov. He resigned after Bulgaria lost to England, 4-0, and Montenegro, 1-0, in Euro 2012 qualifers earler this month.

"We need a foreign coach with a strong background whom the players will respect," said Mihaylov of the 49-year-old who earned a record 150 caps for Germany, with which he won the 1990 World Cup, and included in his playing resume a year in MLS with the MetroStars. His first match in charge is a Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales Oct. 8.