BBC Home

Explore the BBC

New visitors: Create your membership
Returning members: Sign in

20 comments

user rating: 5 star

Ketsbaia's Cypriot revolution

European Football
by 606 Sport Hosts (U3702819) 21 October 2008
comment on the article

As a player Temuri Ketsbaia might not have immediately suggested himself as a top European coach in waiting.

Ten years ago the shaven-headed Georgian with the deep-set eyes scored for Newcastle against Bolton. What followed turned Ketsbaia into a cult hero on Tyneside.

He ripped off his shirt, ran over to an advertising board and kicked it repeatedly while also trying to remove his boots. He kicked the hoarding with such ferocity he later learned he had broken his toe.

After three years at Newcastle, Ketsbaia spent two undistinguished seasons, at Wolves and Dundee, before a switch in 2002 to become Anorthosis Famagusta's player-coach, before concentrating solely on management, in 2004.

What are your favourite moments from the Georgian's career and how do you think his side will fare against Inter in this week's Champions League game?

Latest 10 comments

Read members' comments or add your own

posted Oct 21, 2008

I'm a Man United fan but I enjoyed watching ketsbaia like I enjoyed watching Gus Poyet and Stuart Pearce, guys that play with passion. "note to Berba" ... Good luck Temuri.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Oct 21, 2008

Apparently when he signed for Newcastle he headed over to the Metro Centre to buy himself a pair of new boots. He was amazed to find out afterwards that he would get them free from his sponsor as well as all sorts of ggodies he could only have dreamt of previously. A very humble player, who never assumed anything. Good luck, yer mad dafty!

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by abc (U11731317)

posted Oct 21, 2008

As a Liverpool fan, I too remember Ketsbaia from when he scored that last gasp goal to qualify for the Champions League. I think Newcastle went on to play Barcelona in the group stages and Asprilla scored a hat-trick against them with his trademark Cartwheel celebration each time.
Newcastle was pretty much everyone's 2nd fav team in the 90s.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Oct 21, 2008

Mads 09 - read the article, I think the BBC's facts are completely in order

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Oct 21, 2008

Unlike a certain Mr Shearer, it is good to see an ex toon forward having a go at management and making a success of it. On the pitch he was capable of the sublime to the ridiculous. This was largely because he just put his head down and ran directly at goal. Often described as a headless chicken. However it worked to fantastic effect against Everton in the 98 FA cup semi final when he scored two and set up Shearer for another. I remember at least one of them squirmed through the keepers hands and the Sun headline was "How did that Ketsbai?"

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Oct 21, 2008

Dundee are looking for a new mamanger. Might eb the perfect place for him to return to the UK.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Oct 21, 2008

why did he celebrate like that

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by hardyjp (U4321458)

posted Oct 22, 2008

"why did he celebrate like that"

I think it was just frustration at the fact that Dalglish wouldn't play him. So when he did get on and scored a last minute winner to end a run of eight league games without a win he just went nuts.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Oct 22, 2008

Don't say the "D" word... That man should have been taken to court for what he did to Newcastle.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by HDayzo (U13908538)

posted Apr 14, 2009

I'm a Dundee fan and wow, what a fantastic player would probably still go a good job at Dens now. He can be our next manager winkeye

add comment | complain about this comment

Comment on this article


RATE THIS ARTICLE

Rate Breakdown

  • 5 100.00%
    4 votes
  • 4
    0 votes
  • 3
    0 votes
  • 2
    0 votes
  • 1
    0 votes

average rating:
5.00 from 4 votes