Kakha Kaladze: Willy Sagnol’s contribution to Georgian football will never be forgotten

Kakha Kaladze, Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Saturday thanked former Georgia national team head coach Willy Sagnol for his contribution to Georgian football, highlighting the team’s historic qualification for the UEFA European Championship and its memorable victory over Portugal.

Kaladze made the remarks in a social media post following Sagnol’s departure as head coach of the Georgia national football team.

“I would like to thank a person who came to Georgian football with his own history and achievements and left a lasting mark on our national team. When Willy Sagnol took charge in 2021, the team was going through a difficult period. Alongside managing the squad, he accomplished something extremely important - he restored the players’ belief and fighting spirit, giving them confidence that any dream could become a reality,” Kaladze said.

He noted that Sagnol’s name would always be linked to one of the most significant achievements in Georgian football history.

“Willy Sagnol’s name will forever be associated with the day Georgia qualified for the European Championship finals for the first time. That achievement was followed by an unforgettable victory over Portugal and a historic place in the round of 16. Today, the whole world knows about the Georgia national football team, and Sagnol’s contribution to that success is significant,” he added.

Kaladze also thanked the French coach for the memorable matches that united the country behind the national team.

“Thank you, Willy, for those unforgettable matches when the entire country stood united in support of the national team. Georgia does not forget the people who have written their own chapters in the history of our country’s success,” he said.

“Willy Sagnol and his coaching staff will forever remain an integral part of the history of our city, our country and Georgian football. Thank you,” Kaladze concluded.

The Georgian Football Federation on Saturday appointed Ramaz Svanadze as head coach of the national team through the end of 2028, succeeding Sagnol after the Frenchman’s four-year tenure.