2021–22 First Professional Football League (Bulgaria)
Season | 2021–22 |
---|---|
Dates | 24 July 2021 – 30 May 2022 |
Matches played | 132 |
Goals scored | 330 (2.5 per match) |
Top goalscorer | Jordy Caicedo (12 goals) |
Best goalkeeper | Krasimir Kostov Nikolay Mihaylov (7 clean sheets) |
Biggest home win | Ludogorets 5–0 Lokomotiv Sofia (20 August 2021) |
Biggest away win | Tsarsko Selo 2–5 Slavia Sofia (20 November 2021) |
Highest scoring | Ludogorets 3–5 Pirin Blagoevgrad (13 December 2021) |
Longest winning run | Ludogorets (6 games) |
Longest unbeaten run | Cherno More (11 games) |
Longest winless run | Botev Vratsa (14 games) |
Longest losing run | Tsarsko Selo (5 games) |
Highest attendance | 14,000 CSKA Sofia 2–1 Levski Sofia (26 September 2021)[1] |
Lowest attendance | 150 Tsarsko Selo 1–2 Botev Vratsa (6 August 2021)[2] |
← 2020–21 →
All statistics correct as of 16:36, 20 December 2021 (UTC). |
The 2021–22 First Professional Football League, also known as efbet League for sponsorship reasons,[3] will be the 98th season of the top division of the Bulgarian football league system, the 73rd since a league format was adopted for the national competition of A Group as a top tier of the pyramid, and also the 6th season of the First Professional Football League, which decides the Bulgarian champion. Ludogorets Razgrad are the defending champions for the 10th consecutive time.
Summary[]
From next season, The First Professional Football League will expand from 14 to 16 teams, with the 14th placed team from this season being automatically relegated to the Second league, while the first three-placed teams will automatically promote from the Second League and the 13th placed team from the First League will qualify for the relegation play-off, facing the 4th placed team from the second league.
COVID-19 impacts[]
Fan attendance has been capped at 50% stadium capacity while also subject to compliance with social distancing and the wearing of face masks.[4] Since 7 September 2021, only 30% of the stadium may be occupied.[5] Since 14 October 2021, no fans were allowed at the stadiums in Sofia Province and Sofia City Province.[6] From 21 October, fan attendance is subject to the possession of a green certificate, entailing proof of vaccination, recovery from an infection or a negative COVID-19 test.[7]
Teams[]
Fourteen teams are competing in the league – the top eleven teams from the previous season, the top two teams from the Second League, and the winner of the promotion/relegation play-off between the third-placed team from the 2020–21 Second League and the 12th placed team from the 2020–21 First League.
The first team to earn promotion was Pirin Blagoevgrad, who were promoted after winning 2–0 against Litex Lovech on 23 April 2021.[8] Pirin returned to the top tier after a 3-year absence, having last competed in the highest level during the 2017–18 season. The second team to earn promotion was Lokomotiv Sofia, who were promoted after winning 4–1 against Septemvri Simitli on 13 May 2021.[9] Lokomotiv returned to the top tier after a 6-year absence, having last competed in the highest level during the 2014–15 season.
Botev Vratsa won the promotion/relegation play-off 1–0 against Septemvri Sofia on 28 May 2021, thus remaining in the First League.[10]
Stadiums and locations[]
Arda | Beroe | Botev Plovdiv | Botev Vratsa |
---|---|---|---|
Arena Arda | Beroe | Futbolen kompleks Botev 1912 | Hristo Botev |
Capacity: 11,114 | Capacity: 12,128 | Capacity: 4,000 | Capacity: 12,000 |
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Cherno More |
![]() ![]() Sofia ![]() Arda ![]() Beroe ![]() Botev Plovdiv Lokomotiv Plovdiv ![]() Botev Vratsa ![]() Cherno More ![]() Ludogorets ![]() Pirin ![]() Sofia teams 2021–22 First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) (Bulgaria) ![]() ![]() CSKA ![]() CSKA 1948 ![]() Levski ![]() Lokomotiv ![]() Slavia ![]() Tsarsko Selo |
CSKA Sofia | |
Ticha | Balgarska Armia | ||
Capacity: 8,250 | Capacity: 22,995 | ||
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CSKA 1948 | Levski | ||
Vasil Levski National Stadium | Vivacom Arena - Georgi Asparuhov | ||
Capacity: 44,000 | Capacity: 25,000 | ||
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Lokomotiv Plovdiv | Lokomotiv Sofia | ||
Lokomotiv | Lokomotiv | ||
Capacity: 13,220 | Capacity: 22,000 | ||
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Ludogorets | Pirin | Slavia | Tsarsko Selo |
Huvepharma Arena | Hristo Botev | Slavia | Arena Tsarsko Selo |
Capacity: 10,422 | Capacity: 7,500 | Capacity: 25,556 | Capacity: 1,550 |
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Personnel and kits[]
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Team | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor | Additional |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arda | ![]() |
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efbet | — |
Beroe | ![]() |
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efbet | Refan, Ajax Group |
Botev Plovdiv | ![]() |
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WinBet | — |
Botev Vratsa | ![]() |
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WinBet | Kozloduy NPP[15] |
Cherno More | ![]() |
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Armeets | — |
CSKA 1948 | ![]() |
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efbet | Bachkovo |
CSKA Sofia | ![]() |
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WinBet | A1, Baristo |
Levski Sofia | ![]() |
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Strabag | PalmsBet, Belfry Group |
Lokomotiv Plovdiv | ![]() |
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WinBet | General Broker |
Lokomotiv Sofia | ![]() |
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Casa Boyana | Efbet, Malizia, Intesa, VIA 2000, Club 33 |
Ludogorets | ![]() |
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efbet | Vivacom |
Pirin Blagoevgrad | ![]() |
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AMFEX | Belogour Properties |
Slavia Sofia | ![]() |
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bet365 | Asset Insurance |
Tsarsko Selo | ![]() |
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WinBet | — |
Note: Individual clubs may wear jerseys with advertising. However, only one sponsorship is permitted per jersey for official tournaments organised by UEFA in addition to that of the kit manufacturer (exceptions are made for non-profit organisations). Clubs in the domestic league can have more than one sponsorship per jersey which can feature on the front of the shirt, incorporated with the main sponsor or in place of it; or on the back, either below the squad number or on the collar area. Shorts also have space available for advertisement.
Managerial changes[]
Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Botev Vratsa | ![]() |
Resigned | 8 June 2021[22] | Pre-season | ![]() |
9 June 2021[23] |
CSKA Sofia | ![]() |
Resigned | 25 July 2021 | 1st | ![]() |
26 July 2021[24] |
CSKA 1948 | ![]() |
Mutual consent | 26 July 2021 | 14th | ![]() |
27 July 2021[25] |
Levski Sofia | ![]() |
Resigned | 20 August 2021 | 12th | ![]() |
23 August 2021[26] |
CSKA 1948 | ![]() |
Mutual consent | 30 August 2021 | 14th | ![]() |
3 September 2021[27] |
Arda | ![]() |
Mutual consent | 2 September 2021 | 11th | ![]() |
6 September 2021[28] |
Levski Sofia | ![]() |
Mutual consent | 2 September 2021 | 12th | ![]() |
2 September 2021[29] |
Arda | ![]() |
Mutual consent | 8 September 2021 | 11th | ![]() |
8 September 2021[30] |
Ludogorets | ![]() |
Sacked | 3 October 2021 | 3rd | ![]() |
3 October 2021[31] |
Tsarsko Selo | ![]() |
Mutual consent | 8 October 2021 | 13th | ![]() |
13 October 2021[32] |
Arda | ![]() |
Mutual consent | 9 November 2021 | 7th | ![]() |
12 November 2021[33] |
Pirin Blagoevgrad | ![]() |
Mutual consent | 3 December 2021 | 13th | ![]() |
3 December 2021[34][35] |
Arda | ![]() |
Sacked | 16 December 2021 | 9th | ![]() |
23 December 2021[36] |
Ludogorets | ![]() |
Mutual consent | 3 January 2022 | 1st | ![]() |
3 January 2022[37] |
Tsarsko Selo | ![]() |
Mutual consent | 8 January 2022 | 14th | ![]() |
28 January 2022[38][39] |
Beroe | ![]() |
Mutual consent | 19 January 2022 | 7th | ![]() |
19 January 2022[40] |
Regular season[]
League table[]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ludogorets Razgrad (X) | 18 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 46 | 18 | +28 | 42 | Qualification for the Championship group |
2 | CSKA Sofia (X) | 18 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 30 | 18 | +12 | 40 | |
3 | Cherno More | 19 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 22 | 13 | +9 | 32 | |
4 | Botev Plovdiv | 19 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 23 | 21 | +2 | 32 | |
5 | Slavia Sofia | 19 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 22 | 17 | +5 | 29 | |
6 | Levski Sofia | 19 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 26 | |
7 | Beroe | 19 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 19 | 20 | −1 | 25 | Qualification for the Europa Conference League group |
8 | Lokomotiv Plovdiv | 19 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 25 | |
9 | Arda Kardzhali | 18 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 21 | 23 | −2 | 22 | |
10 | CSKA 1948 | 19 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 24 | 32 | −8 | 19 | |
11 | Botev Vratsa | 19 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 20 | 28 | −8 | 19 | Qualification for the Relegation group |
12 | Lokomotiv Sofia | 18 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 17 | 29 | −12 | 18 | |
13 | Pirin Blagoevgrad | 19 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 27 | 35 | −8 | 16 | |
14 | Tsarsko Selo | 19 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 11 | 28 | −17 | 11 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.[41]
(X) Assured of the Europa Conference League group
Results[]
Positions by round[]
Results by round[]
Season statistics[]
Goal of the week[]
Week | Player | Club | Goal |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Lokomotiv Plovdiv | v. Ludogorets [1] |
2 | ![]() |
Ludogorets | v. CSKA 1948 [2] |
3 | ![]() |
Arda | v. Levski Sofia [3] |
4 | ![]() |
Pirin Blagoevgrad | v. CSKA 1948 [4] |
5 | ![]() |
Ludogorets | v. Lokomotiv Sofia [5] |
6 | ![]() |
Levski Sofia | v. Beroe [6] |
7 | ![]() |
Levski Sofia | v. Lokomotiv Plovdiv [7] |
8 | ![]() |
Lokomotiv Sofia | v. Cherno More [8] |
9 | ![]() |
Levski Sofia | v. CSKA Sofia [9] |
10 |
Note: The top 3 goals of the week are selected for voting and the winner will be placed here.
Save of the week[]
Week | Goalkeeper | Club | Save |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Cherno More | v. Tsarsko Selo [10] |
2 | ![]() |
Lokomotiv Sofia | v. Lokomotiv Plovdiv [11] |
3 | ![]() |
Lokomotiv Sofia | v. CSKA 1948 [12] |
4 | ![]() |
Lokomotiv Plovdiv | v. Cherno More [13] |
5 | ![]() |
Tsarsko Selo | v. Arda [14] |
6 | |||
7 | |||
8 | ![]() |
CSKA 1948 | v. Levski Sofia [15] |
9 | ![]() |
Slavia Sofia | v. Lokomotiv Sofia [16] |
10 |
Note: The top 3 goalkeeper saves of the week are selected for voting by Yordan Gospodinov and the winner will be placed here.
Top scorers[]
- As of 16 December 2021[42]
Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
CSKA Sofia | 12 |
2 | ![]() |
Ludogorets | 11 |
3 | ![]() |
Botev Vratsa | 10 |
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Lokomotiv Plovdiv | ||
5 | ![]() |
Lokomotiv Plovdiv | 8 |
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CSKA 1948 | ||
7 | ![]() |
Levski Sofia | 6 |
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Ludogorets | ||
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Botev Plovdiv | ||
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Lokomotiv Sofia | ||
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Pirin Blagoevgrad | ||
12 | ![]() |
Ludogorets | 5 |
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Levski Sofia | ||
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Beroe | ||
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Cherno More | ||
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Arda | ||
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Botev Plovdiv | ||
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Slavia Sofia | ||
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Arda |
Most assists[]
- As of 12 December 2021[43]
Rank | Player | Club | Assists |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Ludogorets | 6 |
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Ludogorets | ||
3 | ![]() |
Lokomotiv Plovdiv | 5 |
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CSKA 1948 | ||
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CSKA Sofia | ||
6 | ![]() |
CSKA Sofia | 4 |
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CSKA Sofia | ||
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Cherno More | ||
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Pirin Blagoevgrad | ||
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Botev Vratsa | ||
11 | ![]() |
Ludogorets | 3 |
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Ludogorets | ||
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Botev Vratsa | ||
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Ludogorets | ||
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Pirin Blagoevgrad | ||
16 | ![]() |
Levski Sofia | 2 |
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Ludogorets | ||
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Arda | ||
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Botev Plovdiv | ||
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Botev Plovdiv | ||
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Cherno More | ||
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Beroe | ||
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Pirin Blagoevgrad |
Clean sheets[]
- As of 20 December 2021
Rank | Goalkeeper | Club | Clean sheets |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Botev Vratsa | 7 |
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Levski Sofia | ||
3 | ![]() |
Cherno More | 6 |
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Tsarsko Selo | ||
5 | ![]() |
Lokomotiv Sofia | 5 |
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Botev Plovdiv | ||
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CSKA Sofia | ||
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Slavia Sofia | ||
9 | ![]() |
CSKA 1948 | 4 |
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Cherno More | ||
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Arda | ||
12 | ![]() |
Beroe | 3 |
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Ludogorets | ||
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Beroe | ||
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Ludogorets | ||
14 | ![]() |
CSKA Sofia | 2 |
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Lokomotiv Plovdiv |
References[]
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- ^ "Заповед № РД-01-646/29.07.2021 г." (PDF). mh.government.bg (in Bulgarian). 29 July 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
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{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link) - ^ Pehlivanova, Ivomira (19 October 2021). "От четвъртък: Всички дейности на закрито - само срещу "зелен" сертификат (ВИДЕО)". nova.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 20 October 2021.
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- ^ "Локомотив ще играе с новите си екипи срещу ЦСКА 1948" (in Bulgarian). lokomotivpd.com. 18 May 2021.
- ^ "Лудогорец представи новите екипи за сезон 2020/2021" (in Bulgarian). ludogorets.com. 21 July 2020.
- ^ "Пирин ще играе с Adidas през новия сезон" (in Bulgarian). fcpirin.com. 20 May 2021.
- ^ "От Ботев (Враца) обясниха за раздялата с Веселин Великов" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg. 8 June 2021.
- ^ "Официално: Даниел Моралес е новият треньор на Ботев Враца" (in Bulgarian). dsport.bg. 9 June 2021.
- ^ "Стойчо Младенов е новият старши треньор на ЦСКА - София" [Stoycho Mladenov is the new head coach of CSKA - Sofia]. Sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). 26 July 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Обявиха новия наставник на ЦСКА 1948" [CSKA 1948 announced the new head coach]. Sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). 26 July 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Тандемът Симов и Минев ще води Левски срещу Берое" [The duo Simov and Minev will lead Levski against Beroe]. fakti.bg (in Bulgarian). 23 August 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Николай Киров е новият старши треньор на ЦСКА 1948" [Nikolay Kirov appointed as the new CSKA 1948 coach]. topsport.bg (in Bulgarian). 3 September 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Официално: Арда обяви новия си наставник" [Official: Arda announced their new head coach]. Gong.bg (in Bulgarian). 6 September 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Левски представя Станимир Стоилов днес" [Levski will present Stanimir Stoilov today]. topsport.bg (in Bulgarian). 2 September 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Официално: Херо се раздели с Арда, обявиха новия треньор" [Official: Hero left Arda, new head coach appointed]. Gong.bg (in Bulgarian). 8 September 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Лудогорец: Разделяме се с Дамбраускас, Генчев ще води тима с Левски" [Official: Ludogorets: We are parting ways with Dambrauskas, Genchev will lead the team against Levski]. sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). 3 October 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Официално: Любо Пенев се завърна в Царско село" [Official: Lyubo Penev returns to Tsarsko Selo]. sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). 13 October 2021.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Славко Матич подписа договор с ПФК „АРДА" и проведе тренировка" [Slavko Matić signed a contract with Arda and carried out his first training]. fcarda.bg (in Bulgarian). 12 November 2021.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Пирин обяви раздяла с Фийни и неговия щаб". sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 13 December 2021.
- ^ "Пирин няма да търси нов треньор - ето кой ще води "орлетата"". sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ "Арда обяви завръщането на Стамен Белчев". sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ "Ante Simundza is Ludogorets' new coach". ludogorets.com. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ "Стойне Манолов: С Любо Пенев приключихме отношенията си". sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 4 February 2022.
- ^ "Стойне Манолов обясни за освободения треньор и натирените футболисти". topsport.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 4 February 2022.
- ^ "Petar Hubchev is Beroe's new coach". gong.bg. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
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- ^ "Players: Topscorers". Soccerway. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
- ^ "Players: Assists". Fctables. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) seasons
- 2021–22 in European association football leagues
- 2021–22 in Bulgarian football