Anatoli Levanis dze Norakidze (Georgian: ანატოლი ლევანის ძე ნორაკიძე; Russian: Норакидзе Анатолий Леванович; 30 March 1930 — 27 February 1995), known as Giga Norakidze, was a Georgian footballer and manager.

Giga Norakidze
Personal information
Full name Anatoli Levanis dze Norakidze
Date of birth (1927-03-30)30 March 1927
Place of birth Ochamchire, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union
Date of death 27 February 1995(1995-02-27) (aged 67)
Place of death Tbilisi, Georgia
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
CYSS Ochamchire
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1948–1949 Dinamo Ochamchire
1950 Dinamo Sukhumi
1951 Spartaki Tbilisi 25 (8)
1952–1953 TO Tbilisi (6)
1953 Spartaki Tbilisi 12 (2)
1954 TO Tbilisi
1955–1957 SKVO Tbilisi
1958 Dinamo Tbilisi 5 (0)
1958–1959 SKVO Tbilisi
Managerial career
1961 Gantiadi Tskhakaia
1966–1968 Torpedo Kutaisi
1969 Meshakhte Tkibuli
1969–1970 Dila Gori
1971–1972 Mertskhali Ozurgeti
1973–1977 Torpedo Kutaisi
1977–1978 Dinamo Sukhumi
1979 Torpedo Kutaisi
1981–1982 Lokomotiv Samtredia
1983 Torpedo Kutaisi
1983–1984 Lokomotiv Samtredia
1987–1989 Dinamo Sukhumi
1990–1991 Tskhumi Sukhumi
1991–1992 Georgia
1992–1993 Torpedo Kutaisi
1994 Anci Tbilisi
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

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Born in Ochamchire, Norakidze played youth football for CYSS Ochamchire, before beginning his senior career at Dinamo Ochamchire in 1948. In 1950, Norakidze signed for Dinamo Sukhumi, moving to Spartaki Tbilisi the following year, scoring eight goals in 25 appearances in the Soviet Top League. In 1952, Norakidze moved to TO Tbilisi, scoring six times across two seasons, before rejoining Spartaki Tbilisi in 1953. Norakidze re-signed for TO Tbilisi in 1954. In 1955, Norakidze signed for SKVO Tbilisi. In 1958, Norakidze moved back up to the Soviet Top League, signing for Dinamo Tbilisi, making five appearances in the competition. Norakidze ended his playing career at Tbilisi.[1]

Managerial career

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Following his playing career, Norakidze moved into management, managing Gantiadi Tskhakaia for a season in 1961. From 1966 to 1968, Norakidze was manager of Torpedo Kutaisi. In 1969, Norakidze had a short stint as manager of Meshakhte Tkibuli, before moving to Dila Gori the same year. In 1972, Norakidze was appointed manager of Mertskhali Ozurgeti. Norakidze returned to Torpedo Kutaisi for a four-year spell from 1973 to 1977. After departing Torpedo Kutaisi, Norakidze was appointed manager of former club Dinamo Sukhumi. In 1979, Norakidze returned to Torpedo Kutaisi for a third spell. In 1981, Lokomotiv Samtredia appointed Norakidze as manager. In 1983, Norakidze joined Torpedo Kutaisi for a fourth time as manager, departing later that year to rejoin Lokomotiv Samtredia. In 1987, Dinamo Sukhumi re-appointed Norakidze as manager. In 1990, following the withdrawal of Georgian clubs from the Soviet league system, Norakidze was appointed manager of Tskhumi Sukhumi, guiding the club to seventh place in the inaugural Umaglesi Liga season.[2]

In 1991, Norakidze was appointed manager of the Georgia national team. On 2 July 1991, the country achieved their first international victory, beating Moldova 4–2 away in Chișinău. Norakidze presided over the Georgian national team for three more games, winning once and losing twice.[3]

Following his spell managing the national team, Norakidze returned to club management, managing Torpedo Kutaisi and Anci Tbilisi before his death in 1995.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Норакидзе Анатолий Леванович". footballfacts.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b "ნორაკიძე ანატოლი (გიგა)". Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia (in Georgian). Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  3. ^ "National football team manager Giga Norakidze". EU Football. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
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