Temur Ketsbaia is a Georgian footballer and manager known for his impactful career in both playing and coaching.
Ketsbaia began his professional career in 1986 with FC Dinamo Tbilisi before moving to Cyprus to play for Anorthosis Famagusta.
Ketsbaia won the Malta International Football Tournament in 1998 while representing Georgia, marking his only international honor.
Biography
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Temur Ketsbaia is a Georgian footballer and manager, known for his dynamic playing style as a midfielder. He began his professional career in 1986 with FC Dinamo Tbilisi and later played for FC Dinamo Sukhumi. His move to Cyprus in 1992 marked a significant step in his career as he joined Anorthosis Famagusta, where he showcased impressive performances that caught the attention of larger clubs.
Rise to Prominence
In 1994, Ketsbaia transferred to AEK Athens for a substantial fee, where he faced challenges, including a serious hand injury. Despite a rocky start, he became a key player, helping AEK win the Greek Cup and earning accolades as the best foreign player in the league. His successful stint led him to Newcastle United in 1997, where he made history by scoring a crucial goal that secured the club's first UEFA Champions League appearance. Ketsbaia's time in England was also marked by his memorable goal celebrations, which became iconic among fans.
International Career
Ketsbaia represented both the Soviet Union and Georgia on the international stage, earning 49 caps for Georgia. His notable achievement includes winning the Malta International Football Tournament in 1998, which remains his only international honor.
Managerial Career
Transitioning into management, Ketsbaia took charge of Anorthosis Famagusta in 2004 while still playing. He led the team to two championships and a cup victory, making significant strides in European competitions. His managerial journey continued with stints at Olympiacos and the Georgian national team, where he aimed to replicate his success as a player. Currently, he manages Dinamo Tbilisi, continuing to influence Georgian football.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
International goals
Georgia score listed first, score column indicates score after each Ketsbaia goal.
Ketsbaia began his professional career in 1986 with Georgian clubs Dinamo Sokhumi and Dinamo Tbilisi. In 1992 he moved to Cyprus to play for Anorthosis Famagusta, displaying impressive performance. On 1 June 1994, was transferred to the Greek champions, AEK Athens for a fee of 100 million drachmas. In his first official match against Rangers, for the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, he seriously injured his hand. He returned after a few months, but his performance in his first season was not as expected, affected by both the injury and his adaptation to a more demanding league. He was the only scorer in the league derby against Olympiacos in AEK's away victory on 19 November 1994. The following season, Ketsbaia won the Cup with AEK and was named by his colleagues in the league as the best foreign footballer of the season. On 28 September 1995, he scored against Sion for the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. In the semi-finals, he scored in both legs against Panathinaikos. His next season, he helped AEK win the Greek Super Cup. On 17 October 1996, he opened the score in AEK's 2–0 win against Olimpija Ljubljana for round 16 of the UEFA Winners' Cup. On 7 July 1997 Ketsbaia moved to England to play for Newcastle United on a free transfer. Early in his Newcastle career, he scored a goal in extra time against Dinamo Zagreb, ensuring a place for Newcastle in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history. However, his time in England is mostly remembered for his celebration…
Anorthosis (first spell)
In January 2004, while still a player for Anorthosis, Ketsbaia took his first managerial position there. He won two championships as the manager of Anorthosis, in 2004–05 and in 2007–08, and one cup in 2006–07. In 2005 Anorthosis reached in the third-round of the Champions League, over running Trabzonspor in the second round, and in 2008–09 reached in the UEFA Champions League Group Stage, the first Cypriot team to do so. On 28 September 2008, he stated his interest for the vacant Newcastle manager 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 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. In April 2009, Ketsbaia stood down as coach of Anorthosis.
Olympiacos
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.
Georgia national team
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 won the Malta International Football Tournament whilst on international duty with Georgia in 1998, the only International honour in his career.
- Club
- Dundee F.C. (2001–2002)
- Club
- AEK Athens F.C. (1994–1997)
- Club
- Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. (2000–2001)
- Club
- Newcastle United F.C. (1997–2000)
- Club
- Anorthosis Famagusta FC (1992–1994)
- Club
- FC Dinamo Tbilisi (1987–1992)
- Club
- Anorthosis Famagusta FC (2002–2006)
- Club
- Georgia men's national football team (1992–2003)
- Club
- FC Dinamo Sukhumi (1986–1986)
- League
- Premier League
- National team
- Georgia
- National team
- Soviet Union
Clubs
- FC Dinamo Sukhumi1986–1986
- FC Dinamo Tbilisi1987–1992
- Anorthosis Famagusta FC1992–1994
- Georgia men's national football team1992–2003
- AEK Athens F.C.1994–1997
- Newcastle United F.C.1997–2000
- Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.2000–2001
- Dundee F.C.2001–2002
- Anorthosis Famagusta FC2002–2006
Played together with
Aaron CollinsWolverhampton Wanderers F.C. · 2016
Aaron HughesNewcastle United F.C. · 1997–2005
Aaron McCareyWolverhampton Wanderers F.C. · 2010–2016
Aaron RamsdaleNewcastle United F.C. · 2025
Abdoulaye FayeNewcastle United F.C. · 2007–2008
Adam ArmstrongNewcastle United F.C. · 2014–2015
Adam CampbellNewcastle United F.C. · 2012–2015- Adam CollinNewcastle United F.C. · 2002–2004
- Adam CumminsDundee F.C. · 2014–2014
Adam FedericiWolverhampton Wanderers F.C. · 2003–2003- Adam HammillWolverhampton Wanderers F.C. · 2011–2013
- Adam HaywoodWolverhampton Wanderers F.C. · 1901–1905
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Temur Ketsbaia is a Georgian professional football manager and former player. He is currently manager of Dinamo Tbilisi.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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