Thursday will mark an extraordinary moment for Valdas Dambrauskas, as the Lithuanian manager leads Sabah out at Old Trafford for a Champions League fixture against Manchester United, more than two decades after he first walked through the stadium's tunnel while coaching youngsters at Manchester United Soccer Schools.
The 49-year-old, now in charge of the Azerbaijani side, admitted the occasion feels almost surreal. "This is beyond my imagination," Dambrauskas told BBC Sport. "To go through that tunnel on to that pitch. I've been many times to Old Trafford with the kids, and now I'm going to come as a coach."
Dambrauskas' path to this point is anything but conventional. It began in 2002, when he appeared on the Lithuanian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, winning 4,000 litas—roughly £725, but equivalent to six months' average wages in Lithuania at the time. He used those winnings to relocate to London, launching a coaching journey that would eventually lead him across seven countries and ten clubs.
The story resurfaced recently on social media after Sabah's historic Champions League qualification, much to Dambrauskas' surprise. "This is so long ago," he said. "A back-in-the-year story that really was forgotten. And now suddenly everybody is speaking about this." He noted that the attention often overshadows the career that followed: "Everybody now takes only this part, you know, about the money. But yes, it is a true story. My idea was somehow I will try to go on these coaching courses to gain the coaching badge, maybe go back one day to Lithuania and start to work as a football coach."
Arriving in London in August 2002 with limited English and a student visa, Dambrauskas juggled numerous jobs—including gardening, delivering newspapers, and working in a pub—while studying sports science and coaching at London Metropolitan University. He volunteered with community projects before working his way up through non-league football with London Tigers, eventually becoming the first Lithuanian to earn a UEFA coaching licence through the London FA.
His breakthrough came in 2004 when Manchester United Soccer Schools gave him his first professional opportunity, a moment he credits as pivotal. "That was the best thing that could happen in my life," he said, praising former Foundation chief executive John Shiels for taking a chance on him despite his lack of experience. Stints at Fulham and Brentford followed, with Brentford's academy director Ose Aibangee cited as another key influence.
In 2010, after years of balancing multiple roles in England, Dambrauskas returned to Lithuania to join champions Ekranas as assistant coach. Four years later, he took charge of Zalgiris Vilnius, where his managerial career flourished—winning two league titles, three Lithuanian Cups, and two Super Cups, including a domestic treble in 2016.
What followed was a whirlwind managerial tour: RFS in Latvia, Gorica in Croatia, Ludogorets Razgrad in Bulgaria (where he added a league title and Europa League qualification), a return to Croatia with Hajduk Split, then spells in Greece, Cyprus, and Hungary. In summer 2025, he took over at Sabah, immediately delivering a league and cup double—the club's first-ever title—bringing his career trophy count to 13 across five countries.
Sabah's Champions League run has been dramatic, surviving four qualifying rounds including a stoppage-time equaliser against Hapoel Beer-Sheva before winning 5-2 in extra time. The club, formed in 2017 in the small town of Masazir near Baku, will face Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, Napoli, and Villarreal in the group stage, alongside trips to England.
Sabah president Magsud Adigozalov praised his manager's impact: "His influence goes beyond tactics. He has instilled a mindset and winning mentality in the team. Even in the most difficult moments, the team never abandons its game or fighting spirit, which is the result of the coach's work."
For Dambrauskas, returning to Old Trafford as a Champions League manager closes a remarkable circle. "I lived in England when the battle between Manchester United and Arsenal was the biggest rivalry," he reflected. "Now I'm going to come back as a coach in the Champions League and hear that anthem. It's really amazing."
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.