On 1 September 2016, following Nikolay Mitov's short tenure, Kirov was appointed as interim manager – an assignment made permanent in January 2017.
His first new signing was Omar Kossoko who joined the club on a free transfer on 29 September.
Nikolai Kirov and his assistant manager Ivan Kochev, stabilized and improved the performance of the team.
The most memorable and impressive game in 2016 was the tremendous 3–4 away win over Beroe Stara Zagora with spectacular goals by Todor Nedelev, João Paulo and Omar Kossoko.

During the winter break Kirov brought several new key players to Botev Plovdiv: Antonio Vutov, Victor Genev, Ivan Čvorović and Fernando Viana.
Lazar Marin returned to the club after a short and unsuccessful stay at CSKA Sofia.
In the meantime, due to financial difficulties João Paulo, the most valuable player from the first part of the season, was sold to Ludogorets Razgrad.

With Nikolay Kirov in charge Botev failed to qualify for the championship round playoffs of the Bulgarian First League.
However the club finished second in Group A of the relegation rounds and after that defeated Beroe Stara Zagora in the European play-offs.
The 7–1 win over PFC Montana from 7 April 2017 is memorable not only as the biggest win during the season but also because the first goal scored by the then 15-year-old Kris Dobrev who become the youngest goalscorer in Bulgarian league history.
Under the guidance of Kirov Botev Plovdiv eliminated Neftochimic Burgas, Pirin Blagoevgrad and FC Vereya to reach the Bulgarian Cup final.
On 24 May 2017 Kirov lead Botev to a 2–1 victory in the Bulgarian Cup final against Ludogorets winning the club's first trophy in 36 years.
Due to the win Botev managed to qualify for the 2017-18 UEFA Europa League.
On 1 September 2016, following Nikolay Mitov's short tenure, Kirov was appointed as interim manager – an assignment made permanent in January 2017. His first new signing was Omar Kossoko who joined the club on a free transfer on 29 September. Nikolai Kirov and his assistant manager Ivan Kochev, stabilized and improved the performance of the team. The most memorable and impressive game in 2016 was the tremendous 3–4 away win over Beroe Stara Zagora with spectacular goals by Todor Nedelev, João Paulo and Omar Kossoko.
During the winter break Kirov brought several new key players to Botev Plovdiv: Antonio Vutov, Victor Genev, Ivan Čvorović and Fernando Viana. Lazar Marin returned to the club after a short and unsuccessful stay at CSKA Sofia. In the meantime, due to financial difficulties João Paulo, the most valuable player from the first part of the season, was sold to Ludogorets Razgrad.
With Nikolay Kirov in charge Botev failed to qualify for the championship round playoffs of the Bulgarian First League. However the club finished second in Group A of the relegation rounds and after that defeated Beroe Stara Zagora in the European play-offs. The 7–1 win over PFC Montana from 7 April 2017 is memorable not only as the biggest win during the season but also because the first goal scored by the then 15-year-old Kris Dobrev who become the youngest goalscorer in Bulgarian league history. Under the guidance of Kirov Botev Plovdiv eliminated Neftochimic Burgas, Pirin Blagoevgrad and FC Vereya to reach the Bulgarian Cup final. On 24 May 2017 Kirov lead Botev to a 2–1 victory in the Bulgarian Cup final against Ludogorets winning the club's first trophy in 36 years. Due to the win Botev managed to qualify for the 2017-18 UEFA Europa League.
Nikolay Kirov (football manager)