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Oscar Haley

Newcastle United cult hero Temuri Ketsbaia lands international role with Cyprus

Newcastle United cult hero Temuri Ketsbaia has stepped back into international management after being appointed Cyprus manager.

Ketsbaia is fondly remembered on Tyneside for his passionate celebrations, which once saw him take his frustrations out on a St James' Park advertising hoarding after scoring a last minute winner against Bolton Wanderers back in 1998. The Georgian midfielder made 78 appearances for the Magpies during his three year spell at St James'.

Since his retirement, Ketsbaia has held a number of managerial roles which include spells at Greek giants Olympiacos and AEK Athens. Previously, the 54-year-old had managed Georgia from 2009 to 2014, who he was capped 52 times for.

Ketsbaia only recently parted company with Cypriot side Anorthosis earlier this month, but has taken no time out from management, opting to jump straight back into the dugout to take up the Cyprus job.

The former Magpie has replaced Nikos Kostenoglou, who was only appointed by the Cypriot FA last year. And the St James' Park favourite looks to have an uphill battle on his hands.

In their last 18 games, Cyprus have won just twice. While their recent June Nations League campaign saw them pick up draws against Northern Ireland home and away, they fell 2-0 and 3-0 to Kosovo and Greece respectively.

Ketsbaia's first game in charge will take place in late September against Greece, before Cyprus conclude their Nations League campaign with a trip to Kosovo.

Given his knack for celebrating with reckless abandon, it's not out of the question the former Newcastle man might make himself known to some of Cypriot pitch side advertising hoardings in the very near future....

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