Berbatov softens stance on Bulgaria comeback
Reuters - Tuesday 07 February 2012, 18:07
Manchester United striker
Dimitar Berbatov edged a step closer to ending his self-imposed
international exile on Tuesday, saying he would be open to an
approach from the Bulgaria national team's new coach.
The 31-year-old, who is the Balkan country's all-time
leading scorer with 48 goals, quit Bulgaria in 2010 and has
repeated several times since then that he had no intention of
changing his mind.
"You should receive an invitation to return somewhere,"
Berbatov told Bulgarian sports website www.sportal.bg.
"My phone is switched on and I can be more concrete if I
receive an invitation.
"No one has tried to contact me. I haven't met [Bulgaria
coach] Lubo Penev and I haven't talked to him. I couldn't even
congratulate him on his appointment."
Penev, who replaced German Lothar Matthaus in November, was
planning to meet Berbatov this week.
"I'll talk to him this week and I'm optimistic," the coach,
whose first match in charge is a friendly against Hungary on
February 29, told Bulgarian state television.
"I think this is the right time for such a meeting."
Berbatov, joint top scorer in the Premier League last
season, has lost his starting spot at United and Bulgarian
pundits have suggested the striker could have a change of heart
over the national team in an attempt to revive his club career.
Bulgaria captain Stilian Petrov broke his four-and-a-half
media silence in October to urge Berbatov to consider returning
to the national team because they need their "most talented
player."
The team have been drawn in a tough World Cup qualifying
group and will face Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic, Armenia and
Malta as they bid to reach the 2014 finals in Brazil.