Valdas Dambrauskas

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Valdas Dambrauskas

| image = Valdas Dambrauskas.jpg

| caption = Dambrauskas managing Ludogorets Razgrad in 2021

| full_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|1|7|df=y}}

| birth_place = Pakruojis, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union

| currentclub =

| manageryears1 = 2007–2010

| managerclubs1 = Kingsbury London Tigers

| manageryears2 = 2009

| managerclubs2 = Lithuania U17

| manageryears3 = 2011–2012

| managerclubs3 = Lithuania U19

| manageryears4 = 2011–2013

| managerclubs4 = Ekranas Panevėžys (assistant)

| manageryears5 = 2014

| managerclubs5 = Ekranas Panevėžys

| manageryears6 = 2014–2017

| managerclubs6 = Žalgiris Vilnius

| manageryears7 = 2017–2020

| managerclubs7 = RFS

| manageryears8 = 2020–2021

| managerclubs8 = Gorica

| manageryears9 = 2021

| managerclubs9 = Ludogorets Razgrad

| manageryears10 = 2021–2022

| managerclubs10 = Hajduk Split

| manageryears11 = 2022–2023

| managerclubs11 = OFI

| manageryears12 = 2024

| managerclubs12 = Omonia

| manageryears13 = 2025–

| managerclubs13 = Diósgyőri VTK

}}

Valdas Dambrauskas (born 7 January 1977) is a Lithuanian professional football manager. He is the head coach of Hungarian First Division club Diósgyőri VTK.

Managerial career

=Early career=

Dambrauskas has been participating in Lithuanian edition of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" and with the prize, he financed himself a trip to England where he wanted to attend many coach courses.{{cn|date=November 2024}} He studied Sport Science and Coaching in London Metropolitan University and worked as a coach in many famous youth academies, including Fulham, Manchester United and Brentford. His first senior managerial position was with Kingsbury London Tigers in Spartan South Midlands Football League Premier Division, where he managed team to the highest result in club history.{{cite web|title=Farewell to Valdas Dambrauskas |url=http://www.londontigers.org/2010/11/farewell-to-valdas-dambrauskas/ |publisher=FC London Tigers |access-date=17 February 2017 |date=19 November 2010}} For his work, Dambrauskas was awarded in Active Westminster Awards.{{cite web|title=Lietuvio trenerio darbas Anglijoje įvertintas apdovanojimu |url=http://old.lff.lt/lt/article/lietuvio_trenerio_darbas_anglijoje_ivertintas_apdovanojimu |publisher=LFF |access-date=17 February 2017 |language=lt |date=29 November 2010}} He also was head coach of Lithuania national under-17 football team between 2009 and 2010.{{cite web|title=Į Nacionalinę futbolo akademiją ir U-17 rinktinę priimtas naujas futbolo specialistas |url=http://old.lff.lt/lt/article/i_nacionaline_futbolo_akademija_ir_u-17_rinktine_priimtas_naujas_futbolo_specialistas |publisher=Lithuanian Football Federation |access-date=17 February 2017 |language=lt |date=28 August 2009}}

=Ekranas=

In December 2010, Dambrauskas joined Lithuanian champions Ekranas as an assistant coach to famous Lithuanian coach Valdas Urbonas.{{cite news|title=Valdas Dambrauskas – futbolo tėvynės patirtis Lietuvos čempionų Panevėžio "Ekrano" ekipai |url=http://www.15min.lt/sportas/naujiena/futbolas/valdas-dambrauskas-futbolo-tevynes-patirtis-lietuvos-cempionu-panevezio-ekrano-ekipai-24-134854 |access-date=17 February 2017 |work=15min |date=26 January 2011 |language=lt}} Together they won domestic double in 2011 season, received Supercup and won A Lyga champions title in 2012 campaign, while also reaching domestic cup final, where they lost to Žalgiris after penalties, and also placed 3rd in 2013. After Urbonas resignation, he became head coach of the team and despite scarce resources managed to place sixth in 2014 season, even though this did not help the club, and it was forced to declared bankruptcy after the season had ended. He also managed Lithuania national under-19 football team between 2011 and 2012.

=Žalgiris=

On 17 December 2014, Dambrauskas became new head coach of Lithuanian champions Žalgiris.{{cite web|title=Čempionai turi naują vedlį |url=http://www.fkzalgiris.lt/naujienos/n4366_cempionai_turi_nauja_vedli.html |publisher=FK Žalgiris |access-date=17 February 2017 |language=lt |date=17 December 2014}} Together with the team he managed to win every domestic title until 2017, including domestic quadruple in 2016 season.{{cite web|title="Žalgiris-2016". The year of triumph |url=http://www.fkzalgiris.lt/naujienos/n6277_%E2%80%9Ezalgiris_2016%E2%80%9C_the_year_of_triumph.html |publisher=FK Žalgiris |access-date=12 December 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Januška|first1=Vaidotas|title="Žalgirio" treneris Valdas Dambrauskas svajoja užkariauti Europą|url=http://sportas.lrytas.lt/futbolas/zalgirio-treneris-valdas-dambrauskas-svajoja-uzkariauti-europa.htm|access-date=17 February 2017|work=Lietuvos rytas|date=18 January 2016|language=lt}}{{cite news|last1=Kontrimas|first1=Justas|title=Savaitės interviu: pokalbis su V.Dambrausku apie karjerą, futbolo filosofiją ir knygas|url=http://www.sportas.lt/naujiena/216186/savaites-interviu-pokalbis-su-v-dambrausku-apie-karjera-futbolo-filosofija-ir-knygas|access-date=17 February 2017|work=Ivartis.net|date=7 November 2016|language=lt}} Žalgiris' winning streak finally came to an end on 24 September 2017 when they lost the Lithuanian Football Cup Final to Stumbras.{{cite news|title="Stumbras" vienu smūgiu nutraukė "Žalgirio" dominavimą ir iškovojo LFF taurę|url=https://www.15min.lt/sportas/naujiena/futbolas/stumbras-vienu-smugiu-nutrauke-zalgirio-dominavima-ir-iskovojo-lff-taure-24-857756|access-date=24 October 2017|work=15min|date=24 September 2017|language=lt}} After that defeat club's morale was broken and they not only haven't won a single game in the league, but also were overtaken by Sūduva after a dramatic 0–3 head-to-head defeat in Marijampolė.{{cite web|title="Sūduva" matuojasi favoritų marškinėlius|url=http://www.fkzalgiris.lt/naujienos/n6941_%E2%80%9Esuduva%E2%80%9C_matuojasi_favoritu_marskinelius.html|publisher=FK Žalgiris|access-date=24 October 2017|language=lt|date=20 October 2017}}{{cite web|title="Sūduva" sutriuškino "Žalgirį" ir kyla į pirmąją vietą|url=http://alyga.lt/naujienos/informacija/suduva-sutriuskino-zalgiri-ir-kyla-i-pirmaja-vieta|publisher=A Lyga|access-date=24 October 2017|language=lt|date=22 October 2017}} This was Žalgiris' first league defeat by 3 goals since 2010 season.{{cite news|last1=Bagdonas|first1=Marius|title=Į bedugnę smingančio "Žalgirio" va bank: ar trenerio atleidimas gali išgelbėti sezoną?|url=https://www.15min.lt/sportas/naujiena/futbolas/i-bedugne-smingancio-zalgirio-va-bank-ar-trenerio-atleidimas-gali-isgelbeti-sezona-24-871220|access-date=24 October 2017|work=15min|date=23 October 2017|language=lt}}

Due to these defeats, Dambrauskas decided to resign on 23 October 2017.{{cite web|title=Prieš lemiamas kovas "Žalgiris" ryžosi permainoms|url=http://www.fkzalgiris.lt/naujienos/n6950_pries_lemiamas_kovas_%E2%80%9Ezalgiris%E2%80%9C_ryzosi_permainoms.html|publisher=FK Žalgiris|access-date=24 October 2017|language=lt|date=23 October 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Butautas|first1=Ingvaras|title=V. Dambrauskas: "Išėjau iš "Žalgirio" pats"|url=http://www.sportas.info/naujienos/40070-v_dambrauskas_isejau_is_zalgirio_pats.html|access-date=24 October 2017|work=Sportas.info|date=24 October 2017|language=lt}}

=RFS=

Dambrauskas joined Latvian Higher League side RFS on 6 December 2017.{{cite web|title=Esam panākuši vienošanos ar jauno RFS galveno treneri - Valdas Dambrauskas !|url=https://www.facebook.com/fkrfs/posts/1540518399358788|website=Facebook|publisher=FK RFS|access-date=6 December 2017|date=6 December 2017}}

=Gorica=

Dambrauskas joined Croatian First Football League side HNK Gorica on 25 February 2020.{{cite web|title=Poznat je novi trener hita HNL-a|url=https://sportske.jutarnji.hr/nogomet/transferi/poznat-je-novi-trener-hita-hnl-a-bivsi-klub-vec-se-oprostio-od-omiljenog-trenera-emotivnom-porukom-on-je-novi-strani-trener-u-hrvatskoj/10014133/|website=Sportske Novosti|access-date=25 February 2020|date=25 February 2020}}

=Ludogorets Razgrad=

On 3 January 2021, Dambrauskas, together with club's sports director Mindaugas Nikoličius, left Gorica.{{cite news |url=https://www.hnk-gorica.hr/vijesti/mindaugas-nikolicius-i-valdas-dambrauskas-odlaze-iz-hnk-gorice/793 |title=Mindaugas Nikoličius i Valdas Dambrauskas odlaze iz HNK Gorice |trans-title=Mindaugas Nikoličius and Valdas Dambrauskas leave HNK Gorica |website=hnk-gorica.hr |date=3 January 2021 |access-date=3 January 2021 |language=hr}}

The same day Dambrauskas was appointed as the head coach of Bulgarian champions PFC Ludogorets Razgrad.{{cite news |url=https://www.ludogorets.com/bg/news/?i=3915 |title=Литовец е новият треньор на Лудогорец |trans-title=A Lithuanian is the new coach of Ludogorets |date=3 January 2021 |access-date=3 January 2021 |language=bg}} In early October 2021, Dambrauskas parted ways with the Razgrad team.{{cite news |url=https://www.dnevnik.bg/sport/2021/10/05/4261546_valdas_dambrauskas_-_poredniiat_voinik_koito_ne_uspia/ |title=Валдас Дамбраускас - поредният войник, който не успя да стане генерал в "Лудогорец" |trans-title=Valdas Dambrauskas - another soldier who was not able to become a general at Ludogorets|publisher=dnevnik.bg |author=Kichukov, Simeon|date=5 October 2021 |access-date=10 October 2021 |language=bg}}

= Omonia =

On 29 February 2024, Dambrauskas was appointed head coach of Cypriot First Division club Omonia Nicosia starting from the 2024–25 season.{{Cite web |last=OmonoiaFC |date=2024-02-29 |title=Προπονητής της ΟΜΟΝΟΙΑΣ ο κ. Valdas Dambrauskas! |url=https://www.omonoiafc.com.cy/%CF%80%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%80%CE%BF%CE%BD%CE%B7%CF%84%CE%AE%CF%82-%CF%84%CE%B7%CF%82-%CE%BF%CE%BC%CE%BF%CE%BD%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%B1%CF%83-%CE%BF-%CE%BA-valdas-dambrauskas/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Omonoia FC |language=el}} He left the club by mutual consent on 29 November 2024, following a 0–3 UEFA Conference League defeat against Legia Warsaw.{{cite web |last1=Galiński |first1=Tomasz |title=Pracował niecałe pół roku. Został zwolniony po meczu z Legią |url=https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/pilka-nozna/1159385/pracowal-niecale-pol-roku-zostal-zwolniony-po-meczu-z-legia |website=sportowefakty.wp.pl |access-date=29 November 2024 |language=pl |date=29 November 2024}}

= Diósgyőr =

On 26 February 2025, he was appointed as the manager of Diósgyőri VTK.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-26 |title=Valdas Dambrauskas a DVTK új vezetőedzője – hivatalos |url=https://www.nemzetisport.hu/labdarugo-nb-i/2025/02/valdas-dambrauskas-a-dvtk-uj-vezetoedzoje-hivatalos |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Nemzeti Sport |language=hu}}{{Cite web |date=2025-02-26 |title=Összeállt a DVTK edzői stábja – másodedzőt és kapusedzőt is hozott magával Valdas Dambrauskas |url=https://www.nemzetisport.hu/labdarugo-nb-i/2025/02/osszeallt-a-dvtk-edzoi-stabja-masodedzot-es-kapusedzot-is-hozott-magaval-valdas-dambrauskas |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Nemzeti Sport |language=hu}}{{cite news|url=https://dvtk.eu/33382-Valdas_Dambrauskas_a_DVTK_vezetoedzoje-cikk-labdarugas |title=Valdas Dambrauskas a DVTK vezetőedzője |trans-title=Valdas Dambrauskas is the head coach of DVTK |website=dvtk.eu |publisher=Diósgyőri VTK Official Website |date=26 February 2025 |language=en}} He debuted with a 2-1 victory over Puskás Akadémia FC at Diósgyőri Stadion in the 2024–25 Nemzeti Bajnokság I on 1 March 2025.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-01 |title=Új edző jól seper: a Diósgyőr legyőzte az élen álló Puskás Akadémiát |url=https://m.nemzetisport.hu/labdarugo-nb-i/2025/03/uj-edzo-jol-seper-a-diosgyor-legyozte-az-elen-allo-puskas-akademiat |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=Nemzeti Sport |language=hu}}

Managerial statistics

class=wikitable style="text-align: center" \|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
rowspan=2\|Team !rowspan=2\|{{abbr\|Nat.\|Nationality}} !rowspan=2\|From !rowspan=2\|To !colspan=5\|Record !rowspan=2\|{{abbr\|Ref.\|Reference}}
{{abbr\|P\|Matches played}}	{{abbr\|W\|Matches won}}	{{abbr\|D\|Matches drawn}}	{{abbr\|L\|Matches lost}}	{{abbr\|Win %\|Win percentage}}
align=left\|Ekranas \|{{flagicon\|Lithuania}} \|align=left\|26 April 2013 \|align=left\|19 September 2014 {{WDL\|60\|30\|11\|19\|decimals=2}} \|
align=left\|Žalgiris \|{{flagicon\|Lithuania}} \|align=left\|17 December 2014 \|align=left\|23 October 2017 {{WDL\|124\|92\|15\|17\|decimals=2}} \|
align=left\|RFS \|{{flagicon\|Latvia}} \|align=left\|6 December 2017 \|align=left\|24 February 2020 {{WDL\|69\|42\|9\|18\|decimals=2}} \|
align=left\|Gorica \|{{flagicon\|Croatia}} \|align=left\|25 February 2020 \|align=left\|3 January 2021 {{WDL\|30\|16\|8\|6\|decimals=2}} \|
align=left\|Ludogorets Razgrad \|{{flagicon\|Bulgaria}} \|align=left\|3 January 2021 \|align=left\|3 October 2021 {{WDL\|40\|26\|6\|8\|decimals=2}} \|
align=left\|Hajduk Split \|{{flagicon\|Croatia}} \|align=left\|2 November 2021 \|align=left\|12 September 2022 {{WDL\|38\|23\|8\|7\|decimals=2}} \|{{cite news \|title=Valdas Dambrauskas No Longer Coach of Hajduk Split \|url=https://www.total-croatia-news.com/sport/65412-valdas-dambrauskas \|access-date=13 September 2022 \|work=Total Croatia News \|date=12 September 2022}}
align=left\|OFI \|{{flagicon\|Greece}} \|align=left\|25 October 2022 \|align=left\|9 December 2023 {{WDL\|57\|32\|14\|11\|decimals=2}} \|
align=left\|Omonia \|{{flagicon\|Cyprus}} \|align=left\|1 June 2024 \|align=left\|29 September 2024 {{WDL\|21\|13\|1\|7\|decimals=2}} \|
align=left\|Diósgyőri VTK \|{{flagicon\|Hungary}} \|align=left\|26 February 2025 \|align=left\|present {{WDL\|0\|0\|0\|0\|decimals=2}} \|
colspan=4\|Total {{WDLtot\|439\|274\|72\|93\|decimals=2}} !—

class=wikitable style="text-align: center"

|+ Managerial record by team and tenure

rowspan=2|Team

!rowspan=2|{{abbr|Nat.|Nationality}}

!rowspan=2|From

!rowspan=2|To

!colspan=5|Record

!rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

align=left|Ekranas

|{{flagicon|Lithuania}}

|align=left|26 April 2013

|align=left|19 September 2014

align=left|Žalgiris

|{{flagicon|Lithuania}}

|align=left|17 December 2014

|align=left|23 October 2017

align=left|RFS

|{{flagicon|Latvia}}

|align=left|6 December 2017

|align=left|24 February 2020

align=left|Gorica

|{{flagicon|Croatia}}

|align=left|25 February 2020

|align=left|3 January 2021

align=left|Ludogorets Razgrad

|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}}

|align=left|3 January 2021

|align=left|3 October 2021

align=left|Hajduk Split

|{{flagicon|Croatia}}

|align=left|2 November 2021

|align=left|12 September 2022

|{{cite news |title=Valdas Dambrauskas No Longer Coach of Hajduk Split |url=https://www.total-croatia-news.com/sport/65412-valdas-dambrauskas |access-date=13 September 2022 |work=Total Croatia News |date=12 September 2022}}

align=left|OFI

|{{flagicon|Greece}}

|align=left|25 October 2022

|align=left|9 December 2023

align=left|Omonia

|{{flagicon|Cyprus}}

|align=left|1 June 2024

|align=left|29 September 2024

align=left|Diósgyőri VTK

|{{flagicon|Hungary}}

|align=left|26 February 2025

|align=left|present

colspan=4|Total

!—

Honours

=Managerial=

Žalgiris

RFS

Latvian Cup: 2019

Ludogorets Razgrad

Bulgarian First League: 2020–21

Hajduk Split

Croatian Football Cup: 2021–22

Individual

Active Westminster Awards Active Coach: 2010
A Lyga Manager of the Round: 2016 3rd round,{{cite web|url=http://alyga.lt/naujienos/informacija/zalgirio-duetas-geriausias-treciame-rate |title="Žalgirio" duetas – geriausias trečiame rate|work=Alyga.lt |date=25 August 2016|access-date=29 August 2016|language=lt}} 2017 1st round{{cite web|last1=Piečytė|first1=Meda|title=Apdovanoti I rato geriausieji|url=http://alyga.lt/naujienos/informacija/apdovanoti-i-rato-geriausieji|publisher=A Lyga|access-date=30 April 2017|language=lt|date=30 April 2017}}
Lithuanian Coach of the Year: 2016,{{cite web|title=Metų žaidėju išrinktas F. Černychas|url=http://lff.lt/news/1411/metu-zaideju-isrinktas-f-cernychas/|publisher=Lithuanian Football Federation|access-date=3 December 2016|language=lt}} 2020, 2021