Willy Sagnol Out as Georgia Coach After Nations League Opener Defeat

The Georgian Football Federation has announced the termination of former France international Willy Sagnol's contract as the national team's head coach. This decision comes on the heels of Georgia's 1-0 home loss to Northern Ireland in their inaugural Nations League fixture on Friday.

Following Sagnol's departure, the federation confirmed that Georgian football expert Ramaz Svanadze would take over the reins of the national team, with his contract extending until the close of 2028. Svanadze is set to replace the French tactician immediately.

Sagnol, a former right-back for Bayern Munich and the French national team, assumed the coaching role for Georgia in February 2021. Under his leadership, he famously guided the team to their historic first-ever appearance at the European Championship finals three years later. The federation expressed its gratitude, stating, “Thank you, Willy Sagnol, for every minute spent with the Georgian national team and for the emotions we shared together along this historic path.”

Svanadze, aged 45, previously managed Georgia’s under-21 squad, leading them to the European Championship finals on two separate occasions.