He was the first national football manager ever played football himself. He used to play football for Botev, Plovdiv, in the 1920s, and he coached it later in 1936.
In 1948 he became the head of the Central Football Committee for a year.
Under his management the first Referees Regulations, games rules and disciplinary regulations were first officially set up. The beginning of organizational camps of the National A League also dates from the period of his management.
Isaak Katalan was born on December 29th, 1907, in Plovdiv.