Alexander Chivadze hass revealed that he will quit as Georgia coach after tonight’s EURO 2004 qualifier against Switzerland.
Chivadze and his assistants Murtaz Khurtsilava and Otar Gabelia decided to quit after Saturday’s defeat to The Republic of Ireland, but agreed to stay on for today’s match.
The coaching staff are not the onlyt ones leaving; Gocha Jamarauli has joined Temur Ketsbaia in announcing his retirement from international football, and Georgi Kinkladze could be the next player to quit.
“No matter what the result is against Switzerland, Alexandre Chivadze will resign,” said Georgian Football Federation president Merab Jordania.
“The whole coaching staff intended to resign immediately after the defeat by Ireland but because the next game against Switzerland followed in a few days they decided not to leavethe team without a coach.”
“Right now we do not know who the next coach will be,’ added Jordania. ‘The only sure thing is that our coach against Russia will be a temporary one.”
Chivadze’s was in charge of the national side from 1993-96 and returned to the post in August 2001.
Meanwhile, Jamarauli announced his decision to retire last night.
“I am leaving the national team because it is necessary,” said the Metalurh Donetsk player as he left the training camp in Tblisi.
Derby County player Georgi Kinkladze ha hinted that he too may quit the national side.