JOHANNESBURG, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Former European Footballer of the Year Hristo Stoichkov has been named coach of South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns on a two-year deal, the club announced on Monday.

    Bulgarian Stoichkov replaced Frenchman Henri Michel, who spent six months with the Sundowns last season before being sent packing due to poor results.

    The 43-year-old Stoichkov was named Europe's best player in 1994 when he was a prolific striker with Spanish giants Barcelona.

    But his coaching career has not been successful with a three-year spell in charge of Bulgaria culminating in failure to reach the 2006 World Cup.