David Kipiani

Who was David Kipiani?

David Kipiani was a Georgian football midfielder and manager.

Kipiani was born in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR. He played for FC Dinamo Tbilisi and the Soviet Union National Team and also for a year for Lokomotiv Tbilsi. After retirement, he coached FC Dinamo Tbilisi, FC Torpedo Kutaisi, Shinnik Yaroslavl, Mechelen, Olympiakos Nicosia and Georgian National Team.

He died in Tbilisi, Georgia from injuries sustained in a car crash on 17 September 2001. He was 50 years old.

Among his titles as a player are Soviet League championship, Soviet Cup and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup all with FC Dinamo Tbilisi. David Kipiani was named Soviet Footballer of the Year in 1977. As a coach, he led FC Dinamo Tbilisi to 6 Georgian titles and FC Torpedo Kutaisi to 2.

Kipiani was not given a chance to play World Cup finals. Many think his peak was in 1982, but missed the Spain and quit playing altogether due to severe leg injury sustained against Kuban Krasdodar on 26 April.

The Georgian Cup and the stadium in the town of Gurjaani were named after him.