Ludogorets parted ways with Per-Mathias Høgmo hours before the decisive match with CSKA

"Ludogorets" has officially parted ways with its head coach "Per-Mathias Høgmo" on the eve of the decisive match against "CSKA" from the final round of the "efbet League". The news was initially reported by Swedish media, which cited the failures of the "Eagles" both in the league and in the Bulgarian Cup as the main reason for the coaching change.

The club’s management decided to replace the coach at a moment when the season for the team from Razgrad is heading towards a complete fiasco. Despite their traditionally high ambitions, "Ludogorets" failed to impose its usual dominant presence in the championship and dropped out of the race for the Cup trophy, which further increased the pressure on Høgmo.

Mikael Stahre takes charge for the match with CSKA

Today’s clash against "CSKA" will be led by former assistant "Mikael Stahre", who temporarily assumes the role of head coach. He will have a record short time to prepare the team for one of the most important matches at the end of the season, trying to restore motivation and confidence in the dressing room.

Stahre’s appointment as a temporary solution shows that the management prefers to finish the season with someone from within the staff, who knows the inner workings of the team, rather than making an emergency external change just before a key fixture. It is expected that after the end of the campaign a final decision will be taken regarding the club’s long-term head coach.

The match with CSKA – last chance for Europe

The situation for "Ludogorets" is critical: the team must beat the "Reds" at all costs in order to keep its chances of taking part in the play-off for a place in the "Conference League". Any other result – a draw or a loss – would mean that the former hegemon of the Bulgarian championship will not qualify for European club competitions.

Such a development would be a serious blow to the club’s image, as over the past decade it has been a constant presence in European tournaments. Missing out on continental competitions would have not only sporting but also financial consequences, including loss of prize money and reduced income from television rights.

An expected end for the Norwegian specialist

The dismissal of "Per-Mathias Høgmo" can hardly be called a surprise. Under his leadership the team gradually collapsed, and the season unfolded in a direction that many analysts already describe as a "total fiasco" for the club from Razgrad. The lack of stability, inconsistent results and elimination from key tournaments had cast doubt over the Norwegian coach’s future even before the end of the campaign.

The decision to proceed with a coaching change right before the match with "CSKA" shows that the club’s management wanted to send a clear message – both to the players and to the fans – that it will not tolerate a continued decline in standards. For "Ludogorets" this means not only a battle for European qualification, but also a broader rethinking of the entire sporting and technical strategy for next season.