Bulgaria’s football federation said they will extend Lothar Matthaeus’ contract as Bulgaria coach until 2013.

Federation head Borislav Mihailov said that the contract will be signed soon and that Matthaeus will lead the team through qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. The announcement was made despite the team’s 1-0 defeat to Belarus in a friendly on Wednesday.

The 50-year-old former Germany midfielder signed his one-year contract last September with an option for two more years. He replaced Stanimir Stoilov, who resigned after the team’s losses to England and Montenegro in the opening European Championship qualifiers.

After beating Wales, Bulgaria drew against Switzerland and Montenegro to lose hope of qualifying for the tournament.