Toppmöller takes Georgia's top job

Extension option
Under his deal with the Football Federation of Georgia (GFF), the 54-year-old Toppmöller will take charge from 1 February and occupy the post until 31 December 2007. If all goes well, there is an option for a two-year extension. Ralf Minge, who worked with Toppmöller at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, will be his assistant.

'Good show'
"There is enough time before the qualifying process to build a team that can fight for a place at the UEFA European Championship," said Toppmöller. "It will take a lot of work. I know the capabilities of the team's leading players and we can put on a good show in our EURO qualifiers." The draw for the qualification round will take place on 27 January in Montreux, Switzerland.

Leverkusen success
A former German international, Toppmöller's coaching career took off at Leverkusen when, in the 2001/02 season, he led them to second place in the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League final, where they lost 2-1 to Real Madrid CF. He was twice named Germany's best coach but has been out of work since leaving Hamburger SV in October 2004.

'Very appealing'
Toppmöller first visited Tbilisi in December, meeting with GFF president Nodar Akhalkatsi and touring the national team's training camp and country's main stadiums. Upon his return to Germany, he was linked with 1. FC Köln but was set on the Georgian role. "The offer was very appealing," he added. "I couldn't refuse the chance to work with a national team with so many quality players. That is why I was glad to accept the job."