Nikola Velev signs with Rapid Bucharest

Nikola Velev has agreed to join Rapid Bucharest's coaching staff as an assistant coach for the coming season. The move was announced in the evening of 31.07.2026 18:24 and marks the next step in Velev's international coaching career.

Velev currently serves as an assistant coach with the North Macedonia men's senior national team and will keep building his experience abroad in the Romanian league. His new role at Rapid Bucharest places him inside a professional setup competing in domestic and regional competitions.

Previous experience and significance

Throughout his career Velev has worked with senior and youth teams domestically and has been part of national-team staff, which the club highlighted when confirming the appointment on its social channels. The Rapid engagement is viewed as further recognition of the quality present in the Macedonian coaching school.

At Rapid Bucharest Velev will be responsible for typical assistant-coach duties: preparing practices, scouting opponents and supporting head-coach game planning. The club expects his international background to contribute to both daily training and long-term team development.

Local observers and colleagues welcomed the signing, pointing to the growing number of Macedonian coaches who continue their careers in leagues across Europe. Velev's move follows a trend of staff mobility that brings tactical knowledge back to national programmes.

Velev arrives at Rapid ahead of the new season and will join the staff as they prepare for pre-season work and competitive fixtures. The club shared the news on Instagram as it completed the addition to its bench.

Photo: press material from the event