Tbilisi has woken to the end of an era for Georgia’s national team. Willy Sagnol, the French coach who guided the country into its first major international tournament at Euro 2024, has stepped down after Friday’s 1-0 home defeat to Northern Ireland in the opening round of the Nations League.
The Georgian Football Federation confirmed the resignation on Saturday, thanking Sagnol for the emotions generated during a tenure that began in 2021. His years in charge were described as historic, chiefly for taking Georgia to Euro 2024, the nation’s first appearance at a finals tournament. Two years ago, he received Georgia’s state Order of Honour in recognition of that achievement.
Sagnol, 49, arrived in the Caucasus with a distinguished playing career behind him, including Champions League and Intercontinental Cup success with Bayern Munich in 2001. Yet the atmosphere around the team had become more difficult following a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign, which ended without Georgia reaching the tournament to be staged in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
A Georgian successor until 2028
Ramaz Svanadze will now take charge of the senior side through to 2028. The 45-year-old Georgian has previously led the country’s under-21 team to the European Championship finals on two occasions, and the federation’s long-term ambition is another qualification for the next European Championship.
The defeat by Northern Ireland sharpened the frustration among supporters in Tbilisi. Georgia had been expected to make more of home advantage against a side regarded as the lesser-ranked opponent, particularly after Paris Saint-Germain forward Kvicha Kvaratskhelia missed a penalty with the score still level at 0-0.
Kvaratskhelia, widely known as Kvara, has said the team will improve when Georgia return to action against Ukraine on Monday. Ukraine begin that Group F meeting with three points, having won their own opening fixture in Hungary.
