Willy Sagnol, the head coach of the Georgian national football team, has given us an appointment for a phone call from Tbilisi, just three days before he reunites with part of his group for the last gathering of the year. The highlight of our conversation naturally revolved around the prospect of Georgia making a historic qualification for the Euro next summer. To achieve this, they will have to go through the Nations League in March, and a Final Four with Greece, Luxembourg, and Kazakhstan (in the event that these 3 nations do not validate their ticket through the qualifiers).
Sagnol seemed relaxed and already “proud” to be able to offer the opportunity to this small country of 3 million inhabitants to dream, especially since his current contract expires in a year. He was open about his daily life as a coach, the Euro, the importance of Carlo Ancelotti in his development, his ambitions, and his views on French football. The former French national team right-back was candid and did not dodge any questions during this exclusive interview with Foot Mercato.
It’s been two years since you took over the Georgian national team. How did you end up here, being Willy Sagnol?
Well, you have to put it in context. The first contacts date back to the fall of 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic. For family reasons, I had to step back from my life as a coach for 2 or 3 years. When I returned to the market, I listened to the projects that came to me and I felt something with the Georgian leaders. Their speech resonated with me, and the idea of building something for the future appealed to me immediately. That’s how I ended up in a country I knew nothing about.
Despite having received calls for African or Asian national teams in the past, I often followed my instincts, and I felt that coming here was the right move for me to gain experience, especially in a different context. I was at a point in my life where I needed to start something new. They were at a point where they needed someone experienced to guide these young players.
Sagnol also shared insights into his time as an assistant coach to Ancelotti at Bayern Munich, saying that it was a valuable learning experience that significantly impacted his approach to coaching. He also discussed the differences between coaching a national team and a club. His daily routine in Georgia involves a lot of time spent with the federation and traveling to watch matches. He emphasized the importance of being mindful of financial constraints in a less affluent football environment.
In conclusion, Sagnol exudes a refreshing mix of professionalism and passion, making him a compelling and insightful figure in the world of football.
