David Webb On Georgia, Euro 2024 And Working With Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

An interview with David Webb, by Callum McFadden for WFi.

You are currently serving as an assistant with the Georgian national team. Could you share the journey that led you to this role and how the opportunity came about?

“The opportunity came through my longstanding relationship with the head coach, Willy Sagnol, which dates back around 10 years. We first met at a game in France when I was transitioning to Tottenham as Head of Recruitment, and he was serving as the Under-21 coach and Technical Director at the French Federation. We hit it off, exchanged contact details, and stayed in touch over the years.

“After I finished my stint at York, Willy mentioned there might be an opportunity to join his coaching staff. It took some time to finalise, but we eventually defined the roles, responsibilities, and expectations, and I was appointed in August last year.”

Georgia’s qualification for the European Championships was historic in itself, but the performances at the Euros, particularly the victory over Portugal, captured attention across Europe and beyond. For a country like Georgia, such achievements are remarkable. Could you share what it’s been like to work with the national team and play a part in their success?

“Absolutely. Once we qualified for the Euros last March by defeating Luxembourg and Greece, the initial expectation—given that we entered the qualification process late—was simply to go and enjoy the experience. However, we also wanted to be taken seriously. We weren’t there just to be spectators or tourists; we were determined to compete.

“We knew we had some outstanding players—two or three at the top level—and a strong core of solid professionals playing in competitive leagues across Europe. When we analysed our group, we genuinely believed we had a chance. If we played at our best in every game, we felt we could advance to the next round, which we did.

“We approached the tournament with a fearless mindset—the shackles were off, so to speak. We were determined to play our game, and we knew both our strengths and the opponents’ weaknesses. With no expectation on us to go far, we had the element of surprise working in our favour.

“But beyond that, it was our strong mentality, team spirit, and positive environment that really set the foundation. With those factors, alongside individual talent and team cohesion, we felt confident we could accomplish something special.”

From your perspective, standing on the touchline during the match against Portugal, defeating one of the top teams in European football, how did that moment feel?

“It was absolutely incredible. That was the game we had to win to advance. Our previous performances against the Czech Republic and Turkey had been strong, but they didn’t produce the results we needed.

“Against Portugal, there was a quiet confidence within the group. Once again, we had absolutely nothing to lose. Although Portugal made some changes, they still had Ronaldo and a host of top-tier players on the field. Scoring in the first three or four minutes was a surreal moment—suddenly, we were 1-0 up, and it felt like, “Wow, this could be a very long game now.

“We weren’t exactly relaxed, but we knew that if we stuck to our game plan, we could actually achieve something. As the match unfolded and we netted the second goal—a penalty early in the second half—it really hit us: “This is happening.” We could have even scored a third. It was unbelievable. The team had exceeded all expectations.

“Personally, I went through a whirlwind of emotions—euphoria, excitement, and immense pride. We were up against hundreds of millions of pounds worth of talent, and as a team ranked 70th in the world, this was a moment that would change everything for us—and it did.

“The pride came from seeing the team execute the game plan we had worked on throughout the week flawlessly against one of Europe’s top sides. To witness it all come together from the perspective of a coach, with the game plan working nearly to perfection, was an unforgettable and incredible experience.”

I have to ask about Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Looking back at teams like Wales, where Gareth Bale received much of the spotlight, there were still many other quality players who played crucial roles in their success. I feel there’s a similar dynamic with Georgia. How exceptional is Kvaratskhelia, and what’s he like to work with on a day-to-day basis? He seems like a consummate professional.

“Yeah, he is. You described him well—he is a top professional. When you work with him during national team camps, you see how he works on the pitch. He’s an incredible talent—incredibly gifted, great dribbler, great pace, technically sharp, intelligent, and he can score and create goals.

“He has the potential to go very far. What helps him, and probably a lot of the Georgian players, is their mentality and attitude. He’s such a humble lad. When he’s among the group, you wouldn’t immediately see him as the standout player. Yes, you see his quality in training, but outside of that, he’s just one of the players.

“He loves playing for his country and has that real humility, but at the same time, he has an unbelievable drive to be the best. When you combine all those mental qualities with his talent, you can see why he’s going to be a standout player for the future.”

You’ve managed to sustain that strong momentum built at the European Championship in the Nations League, securing two impressive wins, both at home and away. Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the future?

“Absolutely, and we talked about this before heading into the Nations League games. As a coaching staff, one of my key responsibilities, in addition to supporting the coaching and analysis side, was to work on the mental aspect of the game. With my background in sports psychology, we’ve held several team meetings focused on building qualities like staying composed and performing under pressure.

“Our main focus coming back was consistency. After the euphoria of qualifying for the Euros, it was important to shift back to a “business as usual” mindset. That’s the mentality we wanted—back to work. While the Euros were an incredible experience, we needed to prove that it wasn’t a one-time success. We were determined to build on that foundation.

“With a strong team environment, where the players are deeply committed to one another and work tirelessly on and off the ball, the mindset remains strong. During the first two Nations League games, our focus was consistency—developing good habits, staying professional, and maintaining focus.

“Our goal is to win the group and use the Nations League as a springboard for World Cup qualification. This competition is crucial in preparing us for that next phase, ensuring we enter it with both a strong position and mindset.”

Finally, David, I’d like to ask about your experience in identifying talent. With your background in elite performance and sports psychology, you’ve successfully spotted players like Wilfried Zaha at a young age, who later went on to have remarkable careers in football. What do you believe are the key factors in recognising talent at a young age?

“There is no definitive right or wrong way of doing it. I’ve always had—maybe call it a natural gift—something that allows me to see talent.

“Many professional scouts or talent ID specialists can spot talent on the pitch in terms of footballing ability. I’m not saying that’s the easy part, but as a professional, you should be able to spot that ability. The next part is spotting something inside the player—the character side.

“You can observe how they play, how they communicate with teammates, how they react when they’re winning or losing, and their drive and determination. If you see these elements in a young player, it helps build their talent going forward. Without that character, talent alone isn’t enough.

“That’s probably been my USP—being able to spot those qualities in younger players or those with potential.

“Even with top players like Son Heung-min, he wasn’t the finished article when we found him. He needed a lot of work, but he had that drive. That’s the ability—to spot characteristics in players that suggest they could go on to have a very good career.”