Ex-Man City player who scored iconic derby goal becomes new president of Georgia
Former Manchester City striker Mikheil Kavelashvili has been appointed president by Georgia’s parliament. The 53-year-old – a former member of parliament – was the only candidate for the job, running for the ruling Georgian Dream party. Kavelashvili has had quite the career changeAFP We don’t think many City fans who watched his debut would have predicted he’d run a country in the futureGetty 224 out of 225 members of Georgia’s electoral college voted for him – but Georgia’s opposition parties have been boycotting parliament, insisting that the elections held in October were rigged. Rewind nearly 30 years, and Kavelashvili had just arrived at Premier League Man City from Georgian side FC Dinamo Tbilisi. He had an instant impact at City’s old home, Maine Road, netting on his debut. And it wasn’t just any old debut goal either. The Georgian bagged against none other than City’s fierce local rivals Manchester United in the Manchester derby in 1995/96. The Red Devils had been 1-0 up at Maine Road courtesy of a sixth minute Eric Cantona penalty, before City’s new striker fired home in the 39th minute to equalise. It was United’s day in the end though, with goals from Andy Cole and Ryan Giggs sealing a 3-2 derby day victory. Kavelashvili continued playing for City following their relegation to the First Division – now known as the Championship. He bagged two goals in 24 appearances, before being shipped out on loan to Swiss side Grasshoppers in Zurich. He won the Swiss Super League in 1998 and transferred to Zurich permanently from City in 1999. He’s etched in City fans’ memories after scoring an equaliser against their foesGetty Pro-EU members of the Georgian public have been protesting the current regime in charge of the country’s parliamentAFP After retiring at Basel in 2006 with 46 caps for Georgia under his belt, Kavelashvili later entered into politics. This came after he was disqualified from seeking the leadership of the Georgian football federation because he was judged to have lacked the qualifications. He was elected as an MP in Georgia in 2016. His party, the People’s Power party, ran alongside Georgian Dream in the October elections. It has now decided to act in parliament as a ‘healthy opposition’. Despite large protests in Georgia, the former Premier League striker is expected to assume office on December 29.
Former Manchester City striker Mikheil Kavelashvili has been appointed president by Georgia’s parliament.
The 53-year-old – a former member of parliament – was the only candidate for the job, running for the ruling Georgian Dream party.
224 out of 225 members of Georgia’s electoral college voted for him – but Georgia’s opposition parties have been boycotting parliament, insisting that the elections held in October were rigged.
Rewind nearly 30 years, and Kavelashvili had just arrived at Premier League Man City from Georgian side FC Dinamo Tbilisi.
He had an instant impact at City’s old home, Maine Road, netting on his debut.
And it wasn’t just any old debut goal either.
The Georgian bagged against none other than City’s fierce local rivals Manchester United in the Manchester derby in 1995/96.
The Red Devils had been 1-0 up at Maine Road courtesy of a sixth minute Eric Cantona penalty, before City’s new striker fired home in the 39th minute to equalise.
It was United’s day in the end though, with goals from Andy Cole and Ryan Giggs sealing a 3-2 derby day victory.
Kavelashvili continued playing for City following their relegation to the First Division – now known as the Championship.
He bagged two goals in 24 appearances, before being shipped out on loan to Swiss side Grasshoppers in Zurich.
He won the Swiss Super League in 1998 and transferred to Zurich permanently from City in 1999.
After retiring at Basel in 2006 with 46 caps for Georgia under his belt, Kavelashvili later entered into politics.
This came after he was disqualified from seeking the leadership of the Georgian football federation because he was judged to have lacked the qualifications.
He was elected as an MP in Georgia in 2016.
His party, the People’s Power party, ran alongside Georgian Dream in the October elections.
It has now decided to act in parliament as a ‘healthy opposition’.
Despite large protests in Georgia, the former Premier League striker is expected to assume office on December 29.
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