Dimitar Pantev

Dimitar Pantev
Personal information
Full name Dimitar Nikolaev Pantev
Date of birth (1976-06-26) 26 June 1976 (age 50)
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
2026- Richards Bay
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Dimitar Pantev (Bulgarian: Димитър Пантев; born 26 June 1976) is a Bulgarian professional football manager and former player. He is currently manager of South African Premiership club richards Bay.

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.

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. During his 6 years with the club he won five consecutive Bulgarian Premiere Futsal League titles, leading the club to the Elite round of 2013–14 UEFA Futsal Cup. He also managed two times Bulgaria national futsal team.

In Europe

Spartak Varna

On 31 August 2015, Pantev was appointed manager of Spartak Varna, leading the club to promotion to the Third League in 2016.

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. In early 2020, Pantev was appointed technical director and head coach of Indian Youth Academy H16.

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.

On 21 March 2024, Pantev returned to Victoria United. He subsequently led Victoria to their first Elite One title in club's history.

Gaborone United

On 23 January 2025, Pantev was appointed as a manager of Gaborone United, leading the side to a Botswana Premier League title in his first season at the club.

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

Pantev in 2022

Manager

Futsal

Grand Pro Varna

Football

Spartak Varna
Victoria United
  • South West Regional League: 2022
  • Elite One: 2023–24
Gaborone United

References

  1. ↑ https://supersport.com/football/news/c4ae9826-9142-4f2d-b4e8-0a8caf439e8a/richards-bay-unveil-new-bulgarian-coach
  2. ↑ "Спартак Варна завърши сезона с 5:2. Получи купа за влизането си в Североизточната "В" група" (in Bulgarian). petel.bg. 22 May 2016.
  3. ↑ "Baku, Varna, Vitebsk, Vegakameratene complete lineup". UEFA. 31 August 2013.
  4. ↑ "Гранд Про триумфира с купата по футзал пета поредна година" (in Bulgarian). topnovini.bg. 8 May 2016.
  5. ↑ "Историческо постижение за Гранд Про в Шампионската лига по футзал" (in Bulgarian). petel.bg. 5 October 2014.
  6. ↑ "Димитър Пантев пое националния по футзал" (in Bulgarian). dariknews.bg. 11 October 2016.
  7. ↑ "Димитър Пантев пое Спартак Варна" (in Bulgarian). varna24.bg. 31 August 2015.
  8. ↑ "Спартак Варна си осигури участие във В група" (in Bulgarian). chernomore.bg. 15 May 2016.
  9. ↑ "Bulgarian football coach "glad" he ended up in Kerala during the coronavirus crisis". newindianexpress.com. 4 May 2020.
  10. ↑ "Наш треньор в далечна Индия: Тук паника от коронавируса няма" (in Bulgarian). dsport.bg. 18 March 2020.
  11. ↑ "Victoria United FC: President Denies Coach Dimitar Pantev Applied To Coach PWD". sportsworld2day.com. 27 July 2022.
  12. ↑ "Bulgarian-born Dimitar Pantev appointed head coach of Victoria United". cameroonnewsagency.com. 21 March 2024.
  13. ↑ "Former FC Johansen Coach Dimitar Pantev wins Cameroon's top-flight league with Victoria United". salonemessengers.com. 21 April 2024.
  14. ↑ "Gaborone United new coach: Only 2 Botswana teams play modern football". panafricafootball.com. 25 January 2025.
  15. ↑ "BPLGaborone United Crowned Inaugural FNB Premiership Champions". bfa.co.bw. 19 May 2025.