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Chat Reel: Hristo Stoitchkov
MLS star compares soccer in the U.S. to home
Posted: Friday May 19, 2000 11:21 AM
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Hristo Stoitchkov says he plans to go into coaching after he retires. Phil Cole/Allsport |
Chicago Fire forward Hristo Stoitchkov chatted with users on May 18, 2000, about soccer in the United States and around the world. A veteran of the Bulgarian national team and top European leagues, Stoitchkov answered questions in Spanish. A full transcript translated to English follows:
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's MLS chat with Chicago Fire forward Hristo Stoitchkov. Hello Hristo. Thanks for joining us.
Hristo Stoitchkov: Thanks for having me.
CNNSI Host: Let's get to some questions from our users...
From Guest: As a veteran of the Spanish first division, who do you think will win the Champions League final, and why?
Hristo Stoitchkov: I am very content to have been in Barcelona for so many years. But because [the final] is against Real Madrid, I would prefer that Valencia wins.
From Pedro Rego in Lisbon, Portugal: Having won at all levels in Europe, what are your challenges and main goals with USA soccer?
Hristo Stoitchkov: My goal is to be champion of the United States. We have good players, and with my experience, I believe we can do it.
From Lazarus in Hillsboro, Ill.: How do you find Chicago's culture in relation to soccer after living it in Europe? Do you enjoy the anonymity here, as Piotr Nowak said?
Hristo Stoitchkov: The Chicago team is very young -- only three or four years old. But when they win some titles, they will become more well-known and popular.
From John Pardue in Baton Rouge, La.: If Bulgaria qualifies for the World Cup in Japan/Korea, would you consider rejoining the national team for one more World Cup?
Hristo Stoitchkov: As coach, yes. It's very difficult. The [current] coach doesn't let young players on the national team; this makes it difficult to win.
From Glenn Sweet in Lawrenceville, N.J.: I would like to know if beating Germany in the 1994 World Cup was your finest moment, and what will it be like to be back in that stadium on May 27, 2000. Thank you for coming to MLS!
Hristo Stoitchkov: It was a great thing for the team. Before, everyone spoke of Stoitchkov. But after defeating Germany, everyone spoke of the Bulgarian team, with players like Balakov and Kostadinov
From Kenneth in Dallas: What recommendations would you give to the U.S. program in their seemingly impossible quest of the World Cup?
Hristo Stoitchkov: It will be very difficult -- almost impossible. But in the world of soccer, anything is possible. Younger players are very important.
From Guest: Do you feel the success of MLS would be greater if the franchises would be located in smaller cities, or cities with no other sport franchises? Arena Football League and minor league baseball for examples.
Hristo Stoitchkov: No. The problem is not where the teams are located. The leaders of the clubs should have liberty to hire better players. They need independence.
From Shoumen in Bulgaria: Did you watch the UEFA cup final yesterday? And are you happy for you friend George Hagi?
Hristo Stoitchkov: I am very happy. They not only have Georgi Hagi, they also have Taffarel and Popescu, and other good players too. They deserved to win.
From Ray Mardell in Plainfield, Ill.: Do you think you will get into coaching when you hang up your boots?
Hristo Stoitchkov: I have a diploma in coaching, and already trained with the Bulgarian national team for some time. I have many years of experience as a player, playing for great coaches, and I have learned a lot from them.
From Eddie in Gainesville, Fla. As an ex-Barca player, what do you think about the situation of Van Gaal and Josep Nunez? What do you think would happen to them? Would you want to coach Barca?
Hristo Stoitchkov: I would like for both to leave the team. We say in Spain, when you throw stones they can end up hitting you on the head. This is what happened in this case. I hope that the next president will be a more positive influence. Nunez lied, which was not good for Barcelona.
From Guest: Do you know of other Bulgarian or European players who would like to play in MLS? Would you recommend it to them?
Hristo Stoitchkov: I don't know. There are players that were on the Bulgarian team that are not there anymore. I recommend Iordanov from Sporting Lisbon.
From TeamMom: Hristo, how's the groin? Will you play this weekend?
Hristo Stoitchkov: I'm doing well. I've been training for the last four or five days and feel fit. I will play next Saturday some and then more on Wednesday. Next game against Metrostars, I will play a full 90 minutes.
From Steve Lewis in The United Kingdom: How did you cope with the lesser standard of the MLS compared with the Spanish league and the drop of attendance (i.e. 100,000 compared to say a few thousand)?
Hristo Stoitchkov: Soccer is very young. There are many years of American football and baseball. Little by little more and more people know about soccer. Now, there are many players from around the world which will bring more interest to the game, like [Carlos] Valderrama, Lothar Matthäus and Luis Hernandez to name a few.
From Milko Iantchev in Newark, Del.: How long do you plan to stay with the Chicago Fire and what made you join an MLS team?
Hristo Stoitchkov: I have a one-year contract with the option to stay another year. After that, I may become a coach. I like the perspective of Chicago. I spoke with the coach and the equipment manager (who speaks perfect Spanish!) who gave me a lot of advice [before joining Chicago].
From Guest: Who do you think will win Euro 2000?
Hristo Stoitchkov: I believe that there are many teams that are well prepared. Especially Spain, Holland, Italy and Germany.
From Louise Bøjden in Ryslinge, Denmark: I would like to know what the biggest experience you have had in your career is?
Hristo Stoitchkov: There are many. Of course, the World Cup is one that stands out. Winning the Champions League with Barcelona eight years ago was the most important moment.
From Guest: Chicago has six Eastern Europeans and Razov with an Eastern name. Does it feel like home?
Hristo Stoitchkov: Yes, I feel more at home with people from the Ukraine, Poland and the Czech Republic. But everyone here prefers to speak English instead of their native language. My English is coming along, little by little.
From Stilian Tzikalov in Bulgaria: Hello Hristo. I'm your biggest fan and I'd like to know your opinion for CSKA Sofia at the moment? And is it possible to come back in the club in the near future?
Hristo Stoitchkov: It hurts me very much that CSKA didn't win the championship. They have young players and a new president, Lubo Penev. I always prefer for CSKA to win, but other teams have good players, so it is difficult.
From Guest: Have you given Ante Razov advice that has helped him this year, and what do you think of him?
Hristo Stoitchkov: Since we speak the same language, I've given him a lot of advice. He is a very talented player. I've spoken to representatives in Europe, so he can go to Europe someday. He's a great person. God always recognizes and compensates good people.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have for today. Thanks again for joining us, Hristo. Good luck the rest of the season.
Hristo Stoitchkov: Thanks.
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