Strength and conditioning coach and physiotherapist Nikolay Kasabov will not be part of Maritsa (Plovdiv)'s staff for the 2026/2027 season. The specialist is parting ways with the Bulgarian club champions but remains with the men's national volleyball team staff, and in the new season, he will also work in basketball – for Spartak (Pleven).
Maritsa officially announced the departure of Kasabov, who in recent seasons was responsible for the physical preparation of the women's team.
The specialist also revealed his next career step to VolleyWeek.
"I'm changing sports a bit during the winter. I'm going to basketball's Spartak Pleven for this season," Nikolay Kasabov shared.
Thus, the change does not mean Kasabov's departure from volleyball. He continues his work with the men's national team of Bulgaria, and during the club season, he will bring his experience to basketball as part of Spartak (Pleven). The Pleven club is part of the men's basketball elite in the 2026/2027 season.
Kasabov has significant experience in volleyball at both club and national levels. In 2025, he was a kinesiotherapist on the staff of the Bulgarian men's national team, which won silver medals at the World Championship in the Philippines.
Now, a new big challenge awaits Kasabov and the national team – the European Championship, after which the specialist will turn his attention to his commitment with Spartak (Pleven).
It is interesting to note that a similar combination of volleyball and basketball already exists with another well-known specialist from our national teams – Simeon Milanov.
Milanov has many years of experience in volleyball, joining the men's national team staff at just 21 years old. He was also part of the Bulgarian team when they won bronze medals at the European Championship in 2009. Later, Milanov moved towards basketball and joined the staff of the Bulgarian women's national team.
He continues to work with the national basketball team in 2026, where he is part of the medical and conditioning team for Tanya Gateva's selection.
As VolleyWeek already reported, this summer Milanov also re-engaged with volleyball, starting work with the Bulgarian national team for girls under 17. Thus, he combines the two sports – a model that Nikolay Kasabov will now also follow: a national volleyball team and a club commitment in basketball.
Maritsa thanked Kasabov for his professionalism, dedication, and years of work with the team, wishing him success with the men's national team of Bulgaria at the upcoming European Championship and in his next professional challenge.