Several days ago football society was shocked – Gary Speed head coach of Wales national team committed suicide at his own home. 42-year-old Speed was very famous as a player and as a brilliant person. Boby Robson English head coach called him “coach on the field”. From Georgians, Temur Ketsbaia knew him very well. Speed was playing for “New Castle” in 1998-2004 and Ketsbaia in 1997-2000. They spent two seasons together and were friends. Head coach of Georgian national team mentioned it in a talk with “World Sport”. First they met each other in 1995, but as rivals In  November, 1995 Georgian national team won over national team of Wales 5:0, Ketsbaia scored two very beautiful goals in this match.. It was first victory for Georgian national team. In a word, we connected to Ketsbaia who is in Cyprus and talked about him and about Georgian national team.
-    As far as we know, you had to attend Gary Speed’s funeral.
-    Yes I was going to attend, but Speed’s family wants only his family members to attend funeral. That’s why besides relatives and family members, no one attended it. Football federation of Wales is to hold match which will dedicate to him, I am to participate in it.

-  When this match is to be held?

-  I do not know exactly. I will be told about it.
-  For two years you and Speed were in the same club, how would you remember him?
-    He was every coach’s favorite player. To my mind, there was not any coach in England who would not have a wish to have such player in his club. He was rolling mode on the field as well as in life. Everyone who knew him will say the same. He was loved and respected by everyone.
-    Were you close friends?
-    Yes, we were friends. We used to invite each other at holidays and parties with our families. It was shock for me.. I cannot say what the reason of his suicide was. Maybe he had depression.
-    It is pity. Now let’s talk about Georgian football, after the match against Moldova in fact you did not make any comment.
-    I told at the press conference that this match had a lot of advantages. A lot of players were given chance of participation. Of course there were some mistakes during this match, but we will work on it.
-    Have you attended legionaries’ matches after this match?
-    Yesterday I attended the match between AEK and “Maccabi” Hayfa, which ended in favor of AEK 2:1. “Maccabi” played badly, but as for Dvalishvili, he played quite well. He was very active. Since February is much time and I will attend matches. In February we will hold sparring match. 
-    Was the rival found out?
-    Not yet, but it will be found out in any case,
-   When you were appointed as head coach of the team, you really had successful serie. It was evident that it was connected to playing discipline. As far as we know there was good atmosphere in national team, what kind of situation is now?
-    The main plus of national team was exactly playing discipline and it helped us to achieve success. It was kept in the next matches too. Newcomers also know what their goal is.
-    Have the failures made atmosphere bad? Are the players none-motivated?
-    No, they are not. Very many new players appeared and before starting the next qualifying round we will use this resource.
-    There discussions that several old players should be released from national team, will they be in February’s upcoming match?
-    Before February is much time. Generally national team is a group of the best players and who will deserve, he will be called up.
-    In November you told that you were going to leave for Germany, to meet Akaki Gogia and to talk. Is there any news about him? Will he play for Georgian national team?
-    Nothing is knows yet.
-    But time flies, does not it?
-    Why? Maybe not today but tomorrow it will be solved. The main is to reach agreement before starting matches.
-    What about Sandro Kobakhidze?
-    He played well against Moldova and proved that, he deserves to play for national team. Targamadze and Kobakhidze are examples that good playing will be notices in any case. We have good young players and I believe in them.
-    When are you to come in Tbilisi?
-    I recently was in Tbilisi, but unfortunately championship round was delayed due to snow. Before New Year I will attend championship matches again.
 

Ilia Nanobashvili