Temur Ketsbaia

Temur Ketsbaia, born on March 18, 1968, in Gali, Georgia, embarked on his professional football career in 1986 with Georgian clubs Dinamo Sokhumi and Dinamo Tbilisi. His early career saw him develop as a midfielder, showcasing skills that led to a move to Cypriot club Anorthosis in 1992. Two years later, in 1994, he joined Greek champions AEK Athens, where he spent three seasons. During his time with AEK Athens, Ketsbaia became a notable player, winning the Greek Cup twice in 1995–96 and 1996–97, and the Greek Super Cup in 1996. He was also recognized by his peers as the Best Foreign Footballer of the Season in 1995–96. A significant turning point in his playing career was his move to Newcastle United in England in 1997 on a free transfer. He made 78 appearances for Newcastle, scoring 8 goals and helping the club qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history. His tenure at Newcastle is also remembered for his passionate goal celebrations.

After his spell at Newcastle, Ketsbaia continued his playing career with Wolverhampton Wanderers from 2000 to 2001, making 24 appearances and scoring 3 goals, and then with Dundee from 2001 to 2002, where he played 22 matches and scored 6 goals. He returned to Anorthosis for a second playing stint from 2002 until his retirement as a player in 2007, making 100 appearances and scoring 39 goals. In 2004, while still playing for Anorthosis, Ketsbaia transitioned into management, taking on the role of manager for the club. This marked the beginning of a successful managerial career where he led Anorthosis to two Cypriot First Division titles in 2004–05 and 2007–08, and a Cypriot Cup in 2006–07. Notably, he guided Anorthosis to the UEFA Champions League Group Stage in 2008–09, making them the first Cypriot team to achieve this milestone.

Ketsbaia’s managerial journey continued with stints at Olympiacos in 2009, and as the manager of the Georgian national team from 2009 to 2014, a team he had represented extensively as a player. He later managed APOEL FC (2015–2016), AEK Athens (2016), FC Orenburg (2017), and had a second spell as manager at Anorthosis from 2019 to 2022, securing another Cypriot Cup in 2020–21. From 2022 to 2024, he managed the Cyprus national team. In 2025, Ketsbaia returned to Anorthosis for a third term as manager, underscoring his enduring connection and influence with the club. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his contributions to Georgian football, earning the Georgian Footballer of the Year award in 1990 and 1997.