Born in
Bobovdol, Vasilev began his football career at Cherveno Zname of
Radomir, representing the team between 1961 and 1965, before moving to
FC Sliven in 1967 and then to
Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa in 1967–68. He also played for
Marek Dupnitsa (1968–69) and
Etar Veliko Tarnovo (1969–77), featuring in 220 matches and scoring 32 goals in the
A PFG. While at Etar, he graduated in history from
Veliko Tarnovo University. Finishing the
Cologne school for football managers, Vasilev's first team as a manager was Levski
Strazhitsa, which he managed in 1977–79. He was then appointed to work at Etar as an assistant manager (1979–81) and manager (until 1992, with some interruptions). In 1984–85 he was at the helm of
Spartak Pleven and in 1985–86 he was the assistant manager of the
Bulgaria national team. Vasilev managed
Levski Sofia in 1993–95, the
Cypriot Anorthosis Famagusta,
CSKA Sofia (1996–98) and
Lokomotiv Sofia, before taking up
Union Berlin, whom he led to the
2nd Bundesliga and a
German Cup final, as well as
UEFA Cup participation. He then moved to
Nea Salamis Famagusta FC in the spring of 2003 and returned to Levski Sofia in 2003–04 only to once again briefly manager
Union Berlin in January 2006. From April 2006 to the summer of 2007, he was in charge of
B PFG side
Naftex Burgas. In June 2007, Vasilev was announced as the new manager of Greek club Levadiakos. Between December 2009 to June 2010 he managed
PFC Nesebar. From March 2011 to May 2011 he led
Chernomorets Burgas. Vasilev has won the A PFG with Etar (1991), Levski (1994, 1995) and CSKA (1997), as well as the
Bulgarian Cup with Levski (1994) and CSKA (1997). While in charge of Levski, Vasilev eliminated the
Scottish Rangers F.C. from the
UEFA Champions League 1993–94. He has been honoured as the coach of the 20th century of
Veliko Tarnovo. ==References==