Temuri Ketsbaia
Encyclopedia
Temuri "Temur" Ketsbaia (born 18 March 1968 in Gali
) is a Georgian
football manager
and former player. As a player he represented the Georgian national team
and played for Dinamo Tbilisi
, Anorthosis Famagusta
, AEK, Newcastle United
, Wolverhampton Wanderers
and Dundee
.
Ketsbaia is often regarded as having played a major role in the revival of Anorthosis Famagusta and he enjoys iconic status at the Cypriot club, since in his time there he elevated the team to the most successful era in its history. Anorthosis in 2010 decided to retire his number, recognising his services.
before transferring to Dinamo Tbilisi
, the country's biggest team. He came to prominence whilst with Dinamo and earned a move to Cypriot
club Anorthosis Famagusta FC
in 1992 and then to Greece with AEK Athens FC
, winning the Greek Cup with the club.
Under the Bosman ruling
, Ketsbaia became a free agent and joined Newcastle United
in the summer of 1997. A popular figure with the fans, Ketsbaia is not only remembered for his performance, but also for his bizarre celebrations, such as aggressively kicking the advertising hoardings
(McDonald's
and Adidas
ones specifically) after scoring a goal against Bolton Wanderers
.
As a Newcastle player, he participated in the 1998 and 1999 FA Cup Final
against Arsenal
and Manchester United
. Although Newcastle lost 2–0 on both occasions, these matches were the highlight of his football career.
In the summer of 1997 newly signed Ketsbaia scored a goal in extra-time against Croatia Zagreb and won a place for Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League
for the first time in their history.
He left St James' Park
in 2000 to sign for Wolverhampton Wanderers
and in 2001
joined Dundee
.
Things that characterized him are his realistic way that he used to react, talk and handle the press.
In the summer of 2005, Ketsbaia entered the Cypriot football hall of fame as Anorthosis beat Turkish side Trabzonspor
in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League
, despite being underdogs. However the following season was a disaster for Ketsbaia and Anorthosis as they finished 4th in the league and failed to qualify for Europe. In the summer of 2004, he made massive changes to the squad, bringing in eleven new players. He was hoping to re-establish Anorthosis as the dominant force in Cypriot football.
On 30 June 2007, Ketsbaia announced his retirement from professional football. His last match before retiring was held on July 14.
On 28 September 2008, he threw his name in the ring for the vacant Newcastle managers position. In an interview with the Sunday Mirror, he said: "I had a great opportunity to play at Newcastle as a player, so why not as a manager?"
In the 2008–09 season, Anorthosis, having Ketsbaia at the wheel, was the first Cypriot team in history to reach the group stage of UEFA Champions League
, after defeating Olympiacos 3–1 on aggregate in the third qualifying round. In the group stages they beat the Greek team Panathinaikos 3–1, drew both games with Werder Bremen. They drew (3–3) at home, and lost away 0–1 to Internazionale Milan. In the final game they had the opportunity of finishing second, but Anorthosis lost 0–1 away to Panathinaikos. With Inter (who had already qualified) losing 2–1 away to Werder they finished in fourth place, missing out on a place in the UEFA Cup.
In the week before the match club directors had gone to the police complaining of financial irregularities being carried out by the club President who was forced to resign, despite support from Ketsbaia and club supporters. Ketsbaia was reported as saying that he was no longer interested in coaching the team if the President was no longer running the club.
In April 2009, Ketsbaia stood down as coach of Anorthosis Famagusta. On 25 May 2009 the chairman of Olympiacos announced that Ketsbaia had been appointed the club's manager on a three year deal, replacing Ernesto Valverde; however, on 15 September 2009, Ketsbaia and Olympiacos parted company following early criticism from the club's supporters, despite Olympiakos not conceding a goal during his tenure.
In November 2009 he was announced as manager of the Georgian national side, which he represented 49 times as a player. He claimed that while he could not promise a major tournament in the near future, the team would fight to reach one. On 3 March 2010, Ketsbaia managed his first national team game, a friendly against Estonia
in a 2–1 victory.
AEK Athens:
Anorthosis Famagusta:
Gali (town)
Gali is a town in Georgia, 77 km southeast to Sukhumi in region Abkhazia. It is the centre of Gali District and was previously in the UN security zone prior to the Russian veto of the UMOMIG Mission in 2009.- References :...
) is a Georgian
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
football manager
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
and former player. As a player he represented the Georgian national team
Georgia national football team
The Georgia national football team is the national association football team of Georgia and is controlled by the Georgian Football Federation. The Georgian team's first match took place in 1990, while Georgia was still part of the Soviet Union. The team have attempted to qualify for each major...
and played for Dinamo Tbilisi
FC Dinamo Tbilisi
FC Dinamo Tbilisi is a Georgian football team, based in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.Dinamo Tbilisi was one of the most prominent clubs in Soviet football and a major contender in the Soviet Top League almost immediately after it was established in 1936...
, Anorthosis Famagusta
Anorthosis Famagusta FC
Αnorthosis Famagusta FC is a Cypriot football and volleyball club which is originally based in Famagusta, but is now temporarily based in Larnaca, due to the Turkish invasion. Anorthosis is one of the most successful clubs in Cypriot football, having won 13 league titles, 10 Cypriot Cups and 6...
, AEK, Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
and Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
.
Ketsbaia is often regarded as having played a major role in the revival of Anorthosis Famagusta and he enjoys iconic status at the Cypriot club, since in his time there he elevated the team to the most successful era in its history. Anorthosis in 2010 decided to retire his number, recognising his services.
Playing career
Born in Gali, Abkhaz ASSR, Georgian SSR, he began his career with minor Georgian team Dinamo SukhumiFC Dinamo Sokhumi
FC Dinamo Sokhumi was a Soviet football club based in Sukhumi, Soviet Union.-History:Dinamo Sokhumi was played Soviet Second League. After the formation of Umaglesi Liga in 1990, as most of the Georgian club joined, likes Dinamo Tbilisi. In contrast, Dinamo Sokhumi remained in Soviet League system...
before transferring to Dinamo Tbilisi
FC Dinamo Tbilisi
FC Dinamo Tbilisi is a Georgian football team, based in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.Dinamo Tbilisi was one of the most prominent clubs in Soviet football and a major contender in the Soviet Top League almost immediately after it was established in 1936...
, the country's biggest team. He came to prominence whilst with Dinamo and earned a move to Cypriot
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
club Anorthosis Famagusta FC
Anorthosis Famagusta FC
Αnorthosis Famagusta FC is a Cypriot football and volleyball club which is originally based in Famagusta, but is now temporarily based in Larnaca, due to the Turkish invasion. Anorthosis is one of the most successful clubs in Cypriot football, having won 13 league titles, 10 Cypriot Cups and 6...
in 1992 and then to Greece with AEK Athens FC
AEK Athens FC
AEK Athens F.C. , the Athletic Union of Constantinople, is a Greek association football club based in the city of Athens, Greece. Outside Greece, the club is also known as AEK Athens, however, the word Athens is not part of the club's official title.Established in Athens in 1924 by Greek refugees...
, winning the Greek Cup with the club.
Under the Bosman ruling
Bosman ruling
Union Royale Belge des Sociétés de Football Association ASBL v Jean-Marc Bosman is a 1995 European Court of Justice decision concerning freedom of movement for workers, freedom of association, and direct effect of article 39 of the EC Treaty...
, Ketsbaia became a free agent and joined Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
in the summer of 1997. A popular figure with the fans, Ketsbaia is not only remembered for his performance, but also for his bizarre celebrations, such as aggressively kicking the advertising hoardings
Billboard (advertising)
A billboard is a large outdoor advertising structure , typically found in high traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertisements to passing pedestrians and drivers...
(McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
and Adidas
Adidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
ones specifically) after scoring a goal against Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
.
As a Newcastle player, he participated in the 1998 and 1999 FA Cup Final
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
and Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. Although Newcastle lost 2–0 on both occasions, these matches were the highlight of his football career.
In the summer of 1997 newly signed Ketsbaia scored a goal in extra-time against Croatia Zagreb and won a place for Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
for the first time in their history.
He left St James' Park
St James' Park
St James' Park, known for sponsorship reasons as the Sports Direct Arena, is an all-seater stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is the home of Newcastle United Football Club and is the sixth largest football stadium in the United Kingdom with a capacity of between 52,387 and 52,409.St James'...
in 2000 to sign for Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
and in 2001
2000-01 in Scottish football
The 2000–01 season was the 104th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2000–01 Scottish Premier League was won by Celtic, 15 points clear of Rangers who finished second. Both teams earned a place in the UEFA Champions League. Hibernian and Kilmarnock...
joined Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
.
Anorthosis Famagusta
After his come back to Anorthosis on 2002 he became crowds fan, and until now he is a true living legend. He was the first coach that formed and directed a Cypriot team up to the Champions League qualification, just before the semi-finals. His name has been signed to the golden pages of Cypriot football.Things that characterized him are his realistic way that he used to react, talk and handle the press.
Managerial career
He returned to Anorthosis in the Summer of 2002 as a player-coach. He became player-manager in January 2004. In his first summer he bought 11 players, mostly well-known ones, who helped the team win the championship title in Ketsbaia's first full-season as a manager.In the summer of 2005, Ketsbaia entered the Cypriot football hall of fame as Anorthosis beat Turkish side Trabzonspor
Trabzonspor
Trabzonspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Trabzon, Turkey. Formed in 1967 through a merger of several local clubs, Trabzonspor won six championships in Turkish Super League. The Club won their first Championship title in 1975 which is also the Club's initiation year...
in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, despite being underdogs. However the following season was a disaster for Ketsbaia and Anorthosis as they finished 4th in the league and failed to qualify for Europe. In the summer of 2004, he made massive changes to the squad, bringing in eleven new players. He was hoping to re-establish Anorthosis as the dominant force in Cypriot football.
On 30 June 2007, Ketsbaia announced his retirement from professional football. His last match before retiring was held on July 14.
On 28 September 2008, he threw his name in the ring for the vacant Newcastle managers position. In an interview with the Sunday Mirror, he said: "I had a great opportunity to play at Newcastle as a player, so why not as a manager?"
In the 2008–09 season, Anorthosis, having Ketsbaia at the wheel, was the first Cypriot team in history to reach the group stage of UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, after defeating Olympiacos 3–1 on aggregate in the third qualifying round. In the group stages they beat the Greek team Panathinaikos 3–1, drew both games with Werder Bremen. They drew (3–3) at home, and lost away 0–1 to Internazionale Milan. In the final game they had the opportunity of finishing second, but Anorthosis lost 0–1 away to Panathinaikos. With Inter (who had already qualified) losing 2–1 away to Werder they finished in fourth place, missing out on a place in the UEFA Cup.
In the week before the match club directors had gone to the police complaining of financial irregularities being carried out by the club President who was forced to resign, despite support from Ketsbaia and club supporters. Ketsbaia was reported as saying that he was no longer interested in coaching the team if the President was no longer running the club.
In April 2009, Ketsbaia stood down as coach of Anorthosis Famagusta. On 25 May 2009 the chairman of Olympiacos announced that Ketsbaia had been appointed the club's manager on a three year deal, replacing Ernesto Valverde; however, on 15 September 2009, Ketsbaia and Olympiacos parted company following early criticism from the club's supporters, despite Olympiakos not conceding a goal during his tenure.
In November 2009 he was announced as manager of the Georgian national side, which he represented 49 times as a player. He claimed that while he could not promise a major tournament in the near future, the team would fight to reach one. On 3 March 2010, Ketsbaia managed his first national team game, a friendly against Estonia
Estonia national football team
The Estonia national football team represents Estonia in international association football. Team members are selected by the head coach of Estonian Football Association . Estonia play their home matches at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia....
in a 2–1 victory.
Managerial stats
Last updated: 27 March 2011| Nat | Team | From | To | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | GF | GA | +/- | ||||
 |
Anorthosis Famagusta Anorthosis Famagusta FC Αnorthosis Famagusta FC is a Cypriot football and volleyball club which is originally based in Famagusta, but is now temporarily based in Larnaca, due to the Turkish invasion. Anorthosis is one of the most successful clubs in Cypriot football, having won 13 league titles, 10 Cypriot Cups and 6... |
2004 | 2009 | 109 | 73 | 26 | 9 | % | 218 | 83 | |
 |
Olympiacos | May 2009 | September 2009 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | % | 9 | 0 | |
 |
Georgia Georgia national football team The Georgia national football team is the national association football team of Georgia and is controlled by the Georgian Football Federation. The Georgian team's first match took place in 1990, while Georgia was still part of the Soviet Union. The team have attempted to qualify for each major... |
November 2009 | Present | 12 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 41.00% | 11 | 8 | |
| Total Career | 124 | 82 | 32 | 9 | % | 237 | 87 | +148 | |||
As a Player
Dinamo Tbilisi:- Georgian LeagueUmaglesi LigaThe Georgian Top League is the top division of football in Georgia. Since 1990, it has been organized by the Professional Football League of Georgia and Georgian Football Federation. From 1927 to 1989, the competition was held as a regional tournament within the Soviet Union...
: 1990, 1991, 1992 - Georgian CupGeorgian CupThe Georgian Cup is the main "knockout" cup competition in Georgian football.The competition is a knockout tournament.Previous winners are:-Soviet era cup winners:* 1944: Team of Sukhumi* 1945: Dinamo Sukhumi...
: 1992
AEK Athens:
- Greek CupGreek football CupThe Greek Football Cup , commonly known as the Greek Cup or for sponsorship reasons the Football Cup OPAP, is a Greek football competition, run by the Hellenic Football Federation....
: 1996, 1997 - Greek Super CupGreek Super Cup-Official edition:-External links:*...
: 1996
Anorthosis Famagusta:
- Cypriot ChampionshipCypriot First DivisionThe Cypriot Championship First Division is the top tier football league competition in Cyprus. As of 2007 it is sponsored by Marfin Popular Bank and is hence officially known as Marfin Laiki League .-Format:...
: 2005 - Cypriot Cup: 2003, 2007
As a Coach
Anorthosis Famagusta:- Cypriot ChampionshipCypriot First DivisionThe Cypriot Championship First Division is the top tier football league competition in Cyprus. As of 2007 it is sponsored by Marfin Popular Bank and is hence officially known as Marfin Laiki League .-Format:...
: 2005Cypriot First Division 2004-05- Final standings :Updated as of May 16, 2005Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = PointsSource:...
, 2008Cypriot First Division 2007-08The Cypriot First Division 2007-08 league started on September 1, 2007.The defending champion was APOEL. Clubs promoted from second division were Alki,APOP and Doxa Katokopia.This year, for the first time, the championship featured a group stage.... - Cypriot Cup: 2007
- Cypriot Super CupCyprus FA ShieldThe Cyprus Football Association Shield or the LTV Super Cup is a Cypriot association football trophy, contested in an annual match between the Cypriot Champion and the winners of the Cypriot Cup. If a team wins The Double , then the Double winner plays the Cypriot Cup finalist...
: 2007