Stoichkov Bets against His Own Team

We’ve heard of some interesting motivational tactics used by managers over the year, but betting that your team is going to lose is not one of them.

That is what Bulgaria coach Hristo Stoichkov did before his team’s Euro 2008 qualifying win against Slovenia earlier this week.

“The 3-0 win over Slovenia cost Stoichkov 15,000 euros,” the 7 Dni Sport newspaper said Friday. “In order to bug his players, the coach bet on a draw or a victory for Slovenia.”

Stoichkov made the wager with three of his players and apparently used the bet as part of his locker room pep talk.

Far be it from us to question Stoichkov’s tactics, but would this story be so warm and fuzzy if he actually coached them to a loss, while enriching his own bank account?

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