Gjoko Hadzhievski leaves Spartak Varna: "I leave with a heart full of love and memories"
Experienced coach Gjoko Hadzhievski leaves Spartak Varna after a season of proud moments and a deciding choice to stay through the city derby.
Gjoko Hadzhievski has stepped down as head coach of Spartak Varna, the club announced after a period of encouraging results and growing attention on smaller Bulgarian teams amid the big-city successes of Levski and CSKA.
Hadzhievski, who led Spartak until yesterday, reflected on his time in Varna and said he leaves with a mixture of pride and sadness.
Season review and reasons for leaving
“Last season we finished in the best possible way. But things at the club developed and the whole atmosphere known from the beginning made me proud. My job was, with my experience as a long‑time coach, to help the club. And now I have many beautiful memories. We were the youngest team against CSKA, when we finished 1:1 in Sofia,” Hadzhievski said, adding further thoughts on his departure.
“It is very hard for me, I had the idea to propose leaving before the match with Cherno More, but for the club I decided to stay for the city derby, which everyone awaits with great anticipation. I prayed to God that it would end in the best way and we did that and I am proud of that. We were united, even when we were losing. Especially last season. From the first match when I arrived, I was received very warmly and I thank everyone for that welcome. The club has a perspective, and moreover, together with my presence in Spartak, the club gained supporters from North Macedonia. I want to thank everyone in the club, all the fans. I leave with a heart full of love and memories,” the experienced coach said.
Club sources say the decision was taken after internal discussions; Hadzhievski’s short but emotional speech to players and staff underlined his wish to prioritise the team’s stability until the derby against Cherno More.
Hadzhievski’s time in Varna included high points that drew notice beyond Bulgaria: a youthful side that managed a 1:1 draw in Sofia against CSKA and growing support among fans from North Macedonia. The club now prepares to name his successor and to build on the momentum he highlighted.
Photo: press material from the event
