Georgian coach Temur Ketsbaia has been dismissed from his role with the Cyprus national team, the federation announced on Friday, following a heavy 4-0 defeat at home to Kosovo in the UEFA Nations League.
Ketsbaia, who previously played for Newcastle, Wolverhampton, and AEK Athens, had been with the Cyprus team for three years. During his tenure, the team’s FIFA ranking fell to No. 127, a drop of 20 places.
George Koumas, the president of the Cypriot football association, praised Ketsbaia for his “professionalism, seriousness, and proven love” for the team. Koumas acknowledged that Ketsbaia’s departure is a necessary step for change.
Koumas added in a statement, “His stance honors him and comes as no surprise to those who know him. Unfortunately, neither Mr. Ketsbaia nor the Federation managed to achieve the wished-for results through this collaboration.”
Under Ketsbaia, Cyprus lost all eight matches in their European Championship qualifying group last year, which included Spain, Scotland, Norway, and Georgia. Over his 20-game stint as coach, Ketsbaia’s record was six wins, two draws, and 13 losses, with 19 goals scored and 49 conceded.
Before coaching Cyprus, Ketsbaia managed Georgia for five years until 2014, and also worked with AEK and Cypriot clubs APOEL and Anorthosis. He led Anorthosis to the Champions League group stage for the 2008-09 season, the first time a Cypriot team achieved this.
The Cyprus federation has not yet named an interim coach for the upcoming Nations League matches against Romania and the return game in Kosovo next month.
