Borislav Mikhailov
Quick Facts
Biography
Borislav Biserov Mihaylov (also spelled Mikhailov) (Bulgarian: Борислав Биcepoв Михайлов; born 12 February 1963 ) is a former Bulgarian football goalkeeper and former President of the Bulgarian Football Union. He is also a member of the executive committee of UEFA.
Mihaylov was captain of the Bulgaria national football team during their major fourth-place run at the 1994 FIFA World Cup (during the shoot-out against Mexico at the 1/8-final stage he saved two penalties), as well as during their participation in UEFA Euro 1996. He also played at the 1986 FIFA World Cup and 1998 FIFA World Cup and is currently the second most-capped player of the Bulgaria national football team with 102 appearances, and with most matches (60) as captain.
Club career
In 1995, he joined English First Division team Reading for a then club record of £800,000, replacing the departed club favourite Shaka Hislop. However his time at the club was marked by a series of injuries, and his club career in England never took off.
Administrative roles
After retiring from active sports he started a career in football administration. He was vice-president of the Bulgarian Football Union from 2001 until 2005, when he replaced Ivan Slavkov as president. Mikhailov was obliged to resign in October 2019 after a call for him to do so from the prime minister Boyko Borisov.
On 22 March 2011, he was elected to the executive committee of UEFA.
On 15 October 2019, Mikhailov resigned as President of Bulgarian FA.
Personal life
In 1998, he married Maria Petrova, a former prominent Bulgarian rhythmic gymnast. Mihaylov is also the son of the former Bulgarian goalkeeper Biser Mihaylov and the father of Bulgarian goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov, who is currently playing for Levski Sofia, while his younger daughter Elinor, is a tennis player.
Honours
Levski Sofia
- Bulgarian Champion: 1984, 1985, 1988
- Bulgarian Cup winner: 1982, 1984, 1986
- Cup of the Soviet Army: 1984, 1987, 1988
- Bulgarian Footballer of the Year: 1986