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Last month, it became clear that the son of Etar legend Sporting (Lisbon), Stuttgart and the Bulgarian national team, Krassimir Balakov and his namesake, follow him in football, but in a different way.
As a child, Krasi followed in her father’s footsteps at the Stuttgart school. After that, however, he reoriented himself to tennis on the court. In 2017, the former Bulgarian captain opened his own children’s soccer school in Germany with his son.
Now, however, Balakov Jr. is already working on another area of the world’s most popular ball game. Together with Ali Selik and Dragomir Draganov, Bala’s son established a management agency. “24 Chasa” asked for a conversation on this and other Balakov Jr. topics and he kindly accepted.
In fact, the project with the establishment and start of work of the agency has been running for 1 year and is a mechanism driven. Krassimir Jr. has known Ali Selik since his childhood in Stuttgart. He made contact with Dragomir Draganov together with his father 7-8 years ago.
Balakov Sr. and, in particular, one of his defining qualities is the reason that his son embarked on the business of soccer intermediaries. The magical midfielder throughout his career was known for his impeccable professionalism in every respect. This is still remembered in Germany. Even recently, Freddie Bobich, who, along with Giovanni Elber and Bala, formed the Stuttgart Magic Triangle, again gave Krasi as an example.
“He was extremely focused on football, self-aware, and in excellent physical shape.” When Giovanni and I wandered the streets of Stuttgart, Bala was already in bed. He was like an older brother to us, “Bobic recalled.
This professionalism from his father began to impress little Krasi and this grew stronger over the years.
“Yes, he really is my father. But from what I saw as a child around him, he was better to me than anyone else in that regard. Over time, I realized that he had reached such a high level in soccer not only with its talent but also with the professionalism of this brand. For many players who have qualities, it is not at the required level. Then the idea occurred to me that with what I saw and learned together with my father and my companions
we can point
the best solutions
and the right steps
footballers
In this way contribute to their development and prepare a common product that is profitable, “explains Balakov Jr. why he decided to start the agency.
He adds that this focus on finding the right steps is not just for the clients’ soccer path, but overall in human terms. Like education for young people. And something else: prepare players with ideas and tips for life after football. This is the exact opposite of the popular belief that for agents, their clients are just “golden chickens” until they can play this role.
The start of the project is good thanks to the contacts of Balakov Sr., as well as those of the three partners.
On the agency’s site athletemngment.bg, you can see its clients. The most famous among them, of course, is Krassimir Balakov Sr.. The coaches also include Kaloyan Chakarov, Sreto Ristic, Bojo Djurkovic.
The names of the national team players Anton Nedyalkov (Ludogorets), Kristian Malinov (CSKA) and Ivan Goranov (Levski) are visible among the players.
Naturally, the spread of the coronavirus is currently affecting this activity in soccer, in which realities have changed. The only thing Balakov Jr. can do now is be patient. He and his partners try to provide the best opportunities for their clients in the situation.
In general, the scope of your agency is wide, but still
the emphasis is on
Bulgaria and Germany
where are they
the strongest
The contacts of the Balakov Jr. trio mainly explain what their target group is.
“These are talented young people, with whose work we can contribute to the development of their professionalism, which, as I explained, we emphasize,” said the son of the former captain of the national team. For Balakov Jr., this will be the trump card with which the agency will fight stiff competition in this business.
According to him, the coronavirus will inevitably affect player prices and digital expressions of transactions, but this can be temporary.
“The footballer is also a product that has a price. In the presence of the relevant class, it must receive its monetary value. Now the prices and wages of the players will surely fall. However, over time, it is most likely that the previous level come back, ”said Balakov Jr.
He frankly admits why he stopped trying to succeed his father on the soccer field, talking about his life so far.
Little Krasi started training at the Stuttgart school. He also plays tennis. “I often heard the question: ‘Are you Balakov’s son?’
It came from different people, on base, after games. From the beginning I felt anxious. Over time, I became increasingly uncomfortable, and at one point I felt that I couldn’t feel comfortable in such a situation. And that’s why I chose tennis. Comparisons to my father and expectations because of that kept me away from soccer. Honestly, I’m mad right now. Maybe I had the qualities to become a good soccer player, “says Balakov Jr.
He focused entirely on tennis when he was 13 years old. He went to Spain to train. At the tennis school there, his coach is Klaus Hofzes, who worked with the great German Steffi Graf.
From this period are his best memories in tennis with the participation in tournaments in Spain and Portugal. Krasi Jr. tells about one of them.
“In a tournament, I got to a match with an opponent who was number 10 in Spain in my age group.” The expectation was that he would lose. My father had come for the tournament. Before the game, he told me that if I won, he would take me to buy what he decided. Contrary to predictions, I won 6: 1, 6: 2. My father’s motivation worked. I chose to buy a luxury sweater. He was 15 years old and was very happy for him, “explains the new football agent.
After the period in Spain, he returned to Stuttgart and continued training. He entered professional tennis, where he remained for 2 years. His injuries affected him psychologically and at one point he concluded that he was not on his way to becoming the ideal fuel.
This ends Balakov Jr.’s attempts to become an athlete. He immediately refocused on education. He graduated from a university that specializes in the real estate business.
Krassimir receives
broker’s license
He is currently an intern at a prestigious company. Over time, you will probably start working independently in this field. This is also related to his joint projects with his father in the construction business.
The two are also partners at the Krassimir Balakov soccer school in Germany. He started working in 2017 with children’s camps. The director of the school is Plamen Mihov, who was the head of the “Football for Children and Youth” department at the Bulgarian Football Union.
The name Balakov is a magnet and makes many boys and girls sign up to participate in the camps. Unfortunately, the coronavirus also stopped its activity.
“Working with children gives me pleasure. It is clear that few of them will make it to great football. However, our task is to get them out of the homes where they are behind computers. Contribute to their development as people, so that they are positive,” he explains. Krasi Jr. briefly thought whether the fact that he was the son of Krassimir Balakov and that he bore his name was a burden on him or a bonus.
“In general, I do not accept it as a burden. Rather, it is a responsibility. I have the ambition to contribute to the sound of this name,” says the heir to the legendary Bulgarian soccer player.
For now, he believes it is too early to contribute to Balakov Sr. becoming a grandfather again, after his sister Gloria has already gifted her father with a grandson named Diego Armando.
“I have a serious relationship. At the moment, however, I think the most important thing is to establish a solid foundation for what I have done as a company. Go step by step. It will be time for another grandson for his father. After all, I’m still 24 years old, “concludes Balakov Jr.
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