As Mikheil Kavelashvili is set to become Georgia's president, a look at his Man City career and political rise
A former Premier League footballer is on the verge of becoming president of his country, following a spectacular rise to power.
The ruling Georgian Dream party is in the majority control of the Georgia’s parliament, and following a selection process has appointed former Manchester City player Mikheil Kavelashvili as its leader. It comes following a parliamentary election last month, the result of which sparked protests in parts of the country.
Being appointed president in Georgia is a largely ceremonial position, with the country’s prime minister holding most of the legislative power. Following accusations of political bribery, double voting and violence, incumbent president Salome Zourabichvili has refused to recognise the results of the election and parliament’s legitimacy. Her six-month term ends next month.
For many Manchester City fans, Kavelashvili might not be a familiar name - after all, he played for the club before the Saudi takeover transformed the club into the footballing juggernaut it is today. But his playing career and political rise is a fascinating tale, even if some might find it controversial.
Football career
Starting his career in the 1980s, Kavelashvili rose through the academy ranks of FC Locomotive’s academy, being promoted to the senior team in 1987 as a youngster. He moved to Dinamo Tbilisi the following year - a club which has also nurtured the talents of Kakha Kaladze and Xisco Munoz.
A brief spell with Russian side Spartak Vladikavkaz followed, before Kavelashvili was bought by Manchester City for a transfer fee of €2m. He had been training with the side prior to his transfer, so was already familiar with the team and coaching staff.
The striker made his debut against Manchester United and made an immediate impression, scoring against City’s bitter rivals. But the team struggled that season and were relegated to what is now the Championship. In his second season at the club, Kavelashvili played 24 games and scored two goals - but this was not enough to get his work permit in England renewed.
For the next two seasons, Kavelashvili moved to Swiss Super League side Grasshoppers on loan, and spent the rest of his career almost entirely bouncing around clubs in Switzerland, playing for FC Zurich, FC Sion and FC Basel.
He retired at the end of the 2006 season, having scored 166 goals in 396 club appearances. He had also earned 46 caps for Georgia in that time, scoring nine goals for his country.
A fresh start in politics
Ten years on from his retirement, Kavelashvili had found himself a new job in Georgia’s parliament. He was part of the Georgian Dream party at the time and developed a reputation for hardline, nationalist statements - some of which have drawn ire from his opponents for being anti-western.
In 2022, he split from Georgian Dream to found the People’s Power political movement, an anti-western organisation that eventually amalgamated with his former party.
Recently, Kavelashvili has authored bills that have clamped down on freedom of speech and rights for the LGBTQ+ community, sparking fears that the country is deepening its ties with Russia. The former footballer is considered to be one of the most openly pro-Russian politicians in parliament.
Georgia recently abolished the direct election of presidents, replacing it with an electoral college system that has 300 seats up for grabs. The ruling party then selects its president.
Having secured a majority in the college, it seems almost certain that Kavelashvili will be appointed as president of Georgia.
Family life
Very little is known publicly about Kavelashvili‘s family. According to his profile on the Georgian parliamentary website, he is married to Tamar Bagrationi. He has one step-child, Giorgi Ivanishvili - who is following in his step-father’s footsteps and plays for FC Chikhura in Georgia.