NEWS · 07 Sep 2026
From £725 game?show win to Champions League: Dambrauskas’s unlikely rise
Lithuanian coach Valdas Dambrauskas began his career after a £725 win on a game show, cutting his teeth in English football. He has now returned to the Champions League, leading Sabah in the competition.
Valdas Dambrauskas, a Lithuanian coach, began his football journey after winning £725 on a game show, a windfall that helped him pursue coaching opportunities in England.
He spent several years in English football, working with youth teams and gaining experience in the lower leagues, where he developed a reputation for tactical flexibility.
In 2024, Dambrauskas took the helm at Sabah, a club competing in the Azerbaijan Premier League, and guided them to a spot in the Champions League qualifying rounds.
His rise from a modest game?show prize to leading a team in Europe underscores the unpredictable paths that can lead to top?tier football management.
With the Champions League campaign underway, Sabah will face a series of challenging opponents, and Dambrauskas will aim to build on his experience and secure a place in the group stages.