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EMIL KOSTADINOV
Date of Birth: 12 August, 1967
Nationality: Bulgaria
Period at Deportivo: 1994 (september-december)
Transfer: Loan (1994, from FC Porto)
Clubs: Mainz'05 (1999-2000), Monterey, UNAL, Fenerbahce (1996-1997), Bayern Munich (1994-1996) Deportivo (1994), CSKA Sofia (1985-1990)
Sold: Deportivo didn't have his transfer rights (1994, to Bayern Munich)
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 76 kg
Position: Attacker
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 In the summer of 1994, Deportivo had already impressed Spain after having finished third and second in the latest editions of the Primera División. But what the team had not done since 1992 was having signed a player with an international reputation. Mauro Silva and Bebeto had it, and KOSTADINOV had recently acquired it.
Sofia-born striker Kostadinov will be best remember as the player who killed of the French hopes of playing the World Cup 1994 in the United States. It was 17 November, 1993 when France needed just one point at home against Bulgaria to qualify. France looked set to put the memories of a frustrating qualifying group behind them, as after 90 minutes the score was 1-1. They had a free-kick deep in the Bulgarian half, and all that was needed was a cool head to run the clock down. But David Ginola gave away the ball sloppily and cheaply, Emile Kostadinov picked it up and scored his second goal of the night: 1-2.
In 1985 the player had started his professional career at CSKA Sofia and played at them until 1990. It was during his time at FC Porto (1990-1994) that he produced those two famous international goals, and he scored fifty-two for the Portuguese club those seasons. He became champions with them in 1992 and 1993, and in 1993 it earned him the prize of Footballer of the Year in Bulgaria. Porto still possessed his transfer rights, but in 1994 Deportivo approached them for a loan deal. That’s how Kostadinov made his Liga debut on 10 September, 1994 for the Galicians when he replaced Fran against Sporting de Gijón.
But the loan deal never proved to be a success. Between this day and 21 December, 1994 the fast Bulgarian striker played only nine matches in the Spanish Primera División. He did produce an important goal, when he was brought for Julio Salinas during his second match at the club. It concerned a match at Atlético and Deportivo were 1-0 down, until Kostadinov appeared in the fiftieth minute and three minutes later produced the equalizer (1-1).
The goal earned him a starting place in seven out of the next eighth Liga matches. He produced his second goal of the season at home against Real Sociedad, the second of Deportivo in the 3-1 win. But one week later he couldn’t cope with the negative 2-0 score at Oviedo, insulted the referee and was sent off. He was suspended for the match against Valladolid, but after it played against Barcelona, Sevilla and Celta. In his final match he was presented a yellow card, his second in the Liga.
After having earned more cards than produced goals, Deportivo agreed to let him go during the winter months. But only five minutes before the transfer deadline ended did Lendoiro allow him to move to Bayern Munich. Something that has been dig up many times when Lendoiro and Bayern Munich fought about Makaay nine years later…
At Bayern Munich he faced competition of players like Jean-Pierre Papin and Jürgen Klinsmann, and never could convince. He produced seven Bundesliga goals for them in two seasons, but was part of their squad winning the UEFA Cup in 1996. Then his career only went down, because Kostadinov also didn’t succeed at Fenerbahce, UNAL and Mexican club Monterey before finalizing his career at German club FSV Mainz’05 at the age of thirty-two.
As said, Kostadinov will be best remembered for his international performances with Bulgaria. He made his debut in 1988, played a total of seventy-two matches for them and scored twenty-seven goals. Bulgaria impressed during the World Cup 1994 tournament, and conquered the third place. He played seven matches those weeks and produced one goal. Kostadinov also played the Euro 1996 tournament and World Cup 1998, and during this final tournament scored a goal against Spain. However, Bulgaria lost this match 6-1…
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