Soccer:Bulgaria coach Lothar Matthaeus is to step down before he is pushed after failing to guide Bulgaria to Euro 2012.

The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) confirmed the news today after talks with the former West German international concluded in agreement that his contract will not be renewed.

"Matthaeus's contract will not be renewed," BFU president Borislav Mihaylov told reporters. "Bulgaria achieved poor results under him and there's tension between him and the players."

Matthaeus, who last September became the first foreigner to coach Bulgaria since 1966, has achieved little success with the team, who are already out of the running for the next summer’s finals in Poland and Ukraine.

"He lived outside Bulgaria for most of the time and perhaps it also influenced the results and preparation of the national team," said Mihaylov.

Matthaeus, 50, had signed a one-year contract with an option for two more years when he replaced Stanimir Stoilov. He led Bulgaria to only three wins - two of them in friendlies - in 11 games over the last year.

In the qualifiers, Bulgaria lost at home to Group G leaders England 3-0 and they were beaten 3-1 by Switzerland earlier this month, leaving them fourth in the standings and out of the running for the finals.

An online poll of more than 32,000 soccer fans showed that Matthaeus's popularity had plummeted with 87 per cent of the respondents saying they had no confidence in him.

Last month, Matthaeus, who captained West Germany to success at the 1990 World Cup and won a record 150 caps, agreed to extend his contract until 2013 but pressure on him has increased enormously in recent weeks.

The BFU said Bulgaria's under-21 team coach Mihail Madanski would take charge on a temporary basis until a replacement was found. Madanski will be in charge for Bulgaria's friendly against Ukraine on October 7th and the final Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales four days later.