Pavel Dochev has resigned as coach of UEFA Europa League play-off hopefuls PFC CSKA Sofia after a deplorable start of his tenure. He is expected to be replaced by legendary coach Dimitar Penev.

“I faced lots of difficulties and obstacles in Bulgaria. One of the biggest problem of this country is the mentality of the people. I felt no support for my work. I am leaving with my head up high,” said Dochev, who was handed the reins of CSKA at the end of the 2009/10 campaign after spending long years in Germany.

Dochev, who has been coach of the second-division club Paderborn, admitted on Monday that part of CSKA football players have boycotted him.

"Some of the football players respected me, but others disapproved of the methods that I applied and questioned everything,” Dochev said.

The 44-year-old will continue to work for CSKA as a head of the scouting department. The club's owners however have not yet come up with an official information about the new coach.

Under Dochev, CSKA lost their opening two league fixtures – 1-0 to city rivals PFC Levski Sofia and 2-1 against PFC Chernomorets Burgas. CSKA will face Welsh champions The New Saints FC on Thursday in their UEFA Europa League play-off round first leg.