Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has not forgotten Willy Sagnol. The day after the French coach was sacked by the Georgian Football Federation, the PSG forward sent him a long and heartfelt message. The Paris star notably thanked the man who guided him through one of the greatest adventures in Georgian football history: qualifying for Euro 2024 and then enjoying a memorable run at the tournament.
An important chapter has come to an end for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia with his national team. Willy Sagnol is no longer Georgia’s head coach after more than five years in charge. The Frenchman was dismissed following the 1-0 Nations League defeat to Northern Ireland. But beyond the difficult ending, Kvaratskhelia wanted to focus on everything Sagnol had brought to Georgian football, dedicating an emotional message to his former coach.
“We Achieved Our Childhood Dream”
“Thank you, Willy! We went through a lot together and overcame different difficulties,” Kvaratskhelia began, before recalling the remarkable achievement under Sagnol. “My teammates and I achieved our childhood dream by taking our country to the European Championship. We did it with you and, together, we became part of this unforgettable history.” Appointed in February 2021, Sagnol led Georgia to Euro 2024, the first major international tournament in the country’s history. The adventure became even more remarkable when Georgia reached the round of 16, with Kvaratskhelia scoring in the stunning 2-0 group-stage victory over Portugal.
For the PSG star, that adventure went far beyond sporting results. “The joy and emotion we shared with the Georgian people will forever remain an exceptional moment in our history,” Kvaratskhelia continued. He then personally thanked his former coach: “I especially want to thank you for this period and for all these years together. We will never forget this footballing adventure.” He concluded with a few words reflecting the bond between the two men: “I wish you every success for the future. We will meet again.”
The end of Sagnol’s tenure was much more difficult, with Georgia suffering five defeats in six World Cup qualifiers before losing to Northern Ireland. The federation has decided to appoint former Under-21 coach Ramaz Svanadze until the end of 2028. But for Kvaratskhelia, Sagnol’s legacy cannot be reduced to those final results. The Frenchman will remain the coach who guided this generation to Georgia’s first European Championship, and the PSG forward’s farewell message shows that Sagnol’s impact extended far beyond the pitch.
