Georgia appoint Ramaz Svanadze after sacking Willy Sagnol

Georgia have dismissed Willy Sagnol as senior men’s coach and appointed Ramaz Svanadze as his successor through to the end of 2028.

The Georgian Football Federation acted within a day of the country’s 1-0 Nations League home defeat to Northern Ireland, a result decided in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi. Shea Charles scored the late winner after Georgia had failed to convert their earlier control of the match into a decisive advantage.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had the clearest opportunity to put the hosts ahead but saw his penalty saved by Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pierce Charles. Georgia were then punished by the visitors’ dramatic late strike, with the federation moving quickly after the final whistle to end Sagnol’s tenure.

Sagnol leaves after 57 matches in charge, having taken the role in February 2021. The former Bayern Munich defender led Georgia to the first major-tournament qualification in their history at Euro 2024, where they beat Portugal to reach the last 16 before losing to eventual winners Spain.

The federation thanked the Frenchman for his work and the landmark period he oversaw, paying tribute to the shared “emotions” of Georgia’s historic journey under his management.

Svanadze steps up for Nations League and World Cup build-up

Svanadze, 45, moves up from within the national set-up after previously coaching Georgia’s under-21 side. He guided that team to the European Championship finals twice and now takes charge of the senior squad with the Nations League campaign still to navigate and World Cup qualifying on the horizon.

His knowledge of Georgia’s younger generation will be central as he attempts to lift the squad after the Northern Ireland setback and establish a team capable of building on the progress made under Sagnol. The immediate challenge is to turn possession and promising performances into results, particularly after a home loss decided by missed chances and a costly lapse at the end.

The promotion has also forced a change at under-21 level. Giorgi Adamia, Svanadze’s assistant, will lead the youth side for its final three qualifying fixtures.