The coaching career of former German international Lothar Matthaeus took another hit over the weekend when the Bulgarian soccer association replaced him as national team coach.

Under Matthaeus, Bulgaria compiled only five points in seven Euro 2012 qualifying matches. He was dismissed without compensation, according to Bulgarian soccer head Borislav Mihailov.

"There were many reasons to release Matthaeus, not only the poor results in the last matches," said Mihailov, a member of the 1994 Bulgarian World Cup team that reached the semifinals. "Pressure and negativity had also piled up in the squad, so the change was necessary.”

Under-21 coach Mihail Madanski has been named to replace Matthaeus, who had been appointed a year ago. Matthaeus played in five World Cups for Germany and lifted the world title in 1990. He coaching career has not gone so well. His other coaching stints include the Hungarian national team, Partizan Belgrade, Rapid Vienna, Atletico Paranaense and Red Bull Salzburg.