The remarkable journey of Valdas Dambrauskas, from winning a game show in Lithuania to becoming a Champions League manager, is a testament to his hard work and determination. Dambrauskas' path to the top has been anything but straightforward, having worked multiple jobs in London, including in a pub and as a gardener, while studying and coaching part-time. He eventually landed a role with Manchester United Soccer Schools, which gave him the confidence to pursue his dream of becoming a professional coach.
Dambrauskas' career has taken him to various countries, including Lithuania, Latvia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, and Hungary, where he has managed several clubs. His most recent stint was with Sabah, which he took over in 2025 and led to a Champions League debut. The Azerbaijani champions had finished 41 points behind the biggest club in Azerbaijan, Qarabag, in the previous season but beat them to the title by nine points, earning their spot in the Champions League qualifiers.
Dambrauskas' approach to coaching emphasizes understanding different cultures, traditions, and ways of speaking or behaving, which he believes is essential for building trust with his players. With Sabah, he has implemented a bold, front-foot playing style that has yielded impressive results.
As Sabah prepares to face Manchester United in the Champions League, Dambrauskas is confident that his team will respect their opponents but not be afraid of them. He is eager to take Sabah further in the competition and believes that the experience will be beneficial for the club.
Sabah will face Manchester United in their Champions League debut on Thursday night, and Dambrauskas will be watched from the stands by some of his old colleagues from Manchester United Soccer Schools.