Dimitar Pantev
Bulgarian footballer and manager
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Dimitar Pantev (Bulgarian: Димитър Пантев; born 26 June 1976) is a Bulgarian professional football manager and former player. He is currently manager of Tanzanian Premier League club Simba.[1][2]
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Dimitar Nikolaev Pantev | ||
| Date of birth | 26 June 1976 | ||
| Place of birth | Varna, Bulgaria | ||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1984–1995 | Cherno More | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1995–1998 | Cherno More | ||
| 1995–1997 | → Suvorovo (loan) | ||
| 1997–1998 | → Devnya (loan) | ||
| 1998–2000 | Suvorovo | ||
| 2000–2001 | Chernomorets Byala | ||
| 2005–2006 | Kaliakra Kavarna | ||
| 2006–2007 | Chernomorets Balchik | ||
| 2007–2008 | Volov Shumen | ||
| 2008–2009 | Dobrudzha | ||
| 2009–2010 | Vladislav | ||
| 2010–2011 | Shabla | ||
| 2015–2016 | Spartak Varna | 22 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2006–2008 | Varna City (youth) | ||
| 2008–2009 | Dobrudzha (player-assistant) | ||
| 2009–2010 | Vladislav Varna (player-manager) | ||
| 2010–2011 | Shabla (player-manager) | ||
| 2011–2017 | Grand Pro Varna (futsal) | ||
| 2011–2015 | DFC Delfinite (youth) | ||
| 2013–2014 | Bulgaria (futsal) | ||
| 2015–2016 | Spartak Varna (player-manager) | ||
| 2016–2017 | Bulgaria (futsal) | ||
| 2018–2019 | Al Ahli Hebron (assistant) | ||
| 2019 | Alshoban Almuslimin Hebron | ||
| 2020 | H16 Youth Academy | ||
| 2021 | Svetkavitsa | ||
| 2022 | Flamengo KSA Academy | ||
| 2022–2023 | Victoria United | ||
| 2023 | Johansen | ||
| 2024 | Victoria United | ||
| 2024 | Orapa United | ||
| 2025 | Gaborone United | ||
| 2025–2026 | Simba | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
As a manager, he has worked for Vladislav Varna, Shabla, futsal club Grand Pro Varna, Bulgaria national futsal team, Spartak Varna, Palestinian club Alshoban Almuslimin Hebron, Svetkavitsa Targovishte, Victoria United in Cameroon, Sierra Leonean club Johansen and Orapa United in Botswana.
Playing career
Born in Varna, Pantev began his football career at Cherno More in 1995. After a loan spells with Suvorovo and Devnya, he moved permanently to Suvorovo in 1998. Then he played for Chernomorets Byala, Kaliakra Kavarna, Chernomorets Balchik, Volov Shumen, Dobrudzha Dobrich and Vladislav Varna. He ended his playing career with Shabla in 2011. Four years later, at the age of 39, Pantev returned to playing as a player-manager of Spartak Varna, and played one season before retiring again in June 2016.[3]
Managerial career
Early career
Pantev began his managerial career as a youth coach in Varna City. During 2008–09 season he was a playing assistant coach of Dobrudzha Dobrich. He also worked as a head coach of Vladislav Varna and Shabla in the Bulgarian Third League.
Futsal
In 2011 Pantev was appointed playing manager of futsal club Grand Pro Varna.[4] During his 6 years with the club he won five consecutive Bulgarian Premiere Futsal League titles,[5] leading the club to the Elite round of 2013–14 UEFA Futsal Cup.[6] He also managed two times Bulgaria national futsal team.[7]
In Europe
Spartak Varna
On 31 August 2015, Pantev was appointed manager of Spartak Varna,[8] leading the club to promotion to the Third League in 2016.[9]
In Asia
In 2018–19 season, Pantev was an assistant coach of Palestinian club Al Ahli Hebron. In July 2019, he became a manager of Alshoban Almuslimin Hebron.[10] In early 2020, Pantev was appointed technical director and head coach of Indian Youth Academy H16.[11]
In Africa
Victoria United
In July 2022, Pantev was appointed manager of Victoria United in Cameroon, with whom he won 2022 South West Regional League.[12]
On 21 March 2024, Pantev returned to Victoria United.[13] He subsequently led Victoria to their first Elite One title in club's history.[14]
Gaborone United
On 23 January 2025, Pantev was appointed as a manager of Gaborone United,[15] leading the side to a Botswana Premier League title in his first season at the club.[16]
Simba
On 4 September 2025, Pantev was appointed as a Chief manager of Simba. His tenure at the club was short-lived. On 2 December 2025, Simba SC announced that they had mutually agreed to terminate his contract, along with those of his two assistants, after only 61 days in charge.
Honours
Manager
Futsal
- Grand Pro Varna
- Bulgarian Futsal League (5): 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16
Football
- Spartak Varna
- A RFG – Varna: 2015–16
- Victoria United
- South West Regional League: 2022
- Elite One: 2023–24
- Gaborone United