V. Dambrauskas on the upcoming debut at Old Trafford: "It's hard for me to even imagine that."

2026-09-08 10:05 © Sabah

On Tuesday, the new UEFA Champions League season starts, which will once again be special for Lithuanian football fans.

For the first time in the tournament, a team coached by a Lithuanian will play. This is the Baku "Sabah" team, led by Valdas Dambrauskas.

The incredible story of the Azerbaijani club will begin its journey in the main stage at Old Trafford Stadium, where they will face Manchester United. It is at this club that V. Dambrauskas worked in the early days of his career, coaching children's teams.

This success story of V. Dambrauskas has also caught the attention of the BBC, which prepared an exclusive interview with the coach from Lithuania.

The strategist from Lithuania revealed that he is eagerly awaiting his return to Old Trafford, which this time will be completely different.

"I can hardly imagine it. I am very much looking forward to the moment when I will step onto the pitch through the tunnel. I have been at Old Trafford many times with kids, but now I will step onto the pitch as a coach," V. Dambrauskas expressed his excitement.

The Lithuanian also opened up about his difficult beginnings after arriving in England in 2002.

"I was working multiple jobs at once. I would deliver newspapers, tend to gardens, and clean floors in bars.

At the same time, I was trying to attend every possible coaching course and conference. I was trying to gather as much additional information as possible. I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity," V. Dambrauskas admitted.

Eventually, he received a chance at the Manchester United football school.

"It was the best thing that could happen to me. I have not met as many wonderful people anywhere else as I did at the Manchester United club," the Lithuanian said.

V. Dambrauskas also discussed the draws that led "Sabah" to face giants such as Man Utd, Barcelona, Arsenal, and Borussia in the Champions League.

"In the Champions League, there can be tough draws, and there can be 'Sabah' draws," V. Dambrauskas joked.

"But we dreamed about this. We wanted to play in this tournament and meet such teams.

Now it's time to show that we are ready for it. We want to try to find ways and compete with such teams.

We have a good and ambitious team, and the players will have the opportunity to show themselves," added the "Sabah" strategist.