Valdas Dambrauskas, who studied Sport Science and Coaching at the University, is in charge of Azerbaijan Premier League club Sabah FK
Date: 26 August 2026
A London Metropolitan University graduate with a unique backstory has helped guide his team into the UEFA Champions League after a thrilling comeback win.
Azerbaijan Premier League club Sabah FK, who were only founded in 2017, pulled off a miraculous recovery against Hapoel Be'er-Sheva FC to win 6-4 on aggregate and progress into the most-watched club competition in the world.
Their head coach, Valdas Dambrauskas, studied Sport Science and Coaching at London Met. His route into joining the University came through a more unusual method.
According to reports, he earned enough money to pay for his studies by taking part in the Lithuanian edition of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?". He used the money that he won to move to the UK to enter higher education.
After he graduated in 2009, Valdas went on to work as a coach in a number of successful youth academies in England before returning to his home country of Lithuania to coach a team in the top league.
His managerial career has seen him lead teams across Europe, and win a number of trophies, including the Latvian Cup, the Bulgarian First League and the Croatian Football Cup.
The 49-year-old took charge at the recently founded Sabah in 2025. He led them to their first Azerbaijan Premier League title, lifted the Azerbaijan Cup, and has now secured their entry into the Champions League for the first time.
His team lost the qualifying first leg 2-1 to the Israeli champions and were on the brink of elimination in the second leg before a last-minute equaliser forced extra-time. They went on to win 5-2 on the night and 6-4 on aggregate for a famous victory in Baku.
Speaking to UEFA after game, Valdas said: “It’s a great night. I thank the fans.”
“The players played great. Sabah is the best team I’ve coached in my career. We’ve qualified for the main stage of the best tournament in the world. Today, I’m the happiest head coach in the world.”
He added: “Hapoel were the team who applied better pressure. As a result, we conceded a goal. We made mistakes and we will analyse them.
“The fans who came to the stadium will not forget this night. I will celebrate this day.”
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Photo courtesy of Aykhan Zayedzadeh
The Sport and Exercise Science course at London Met offers expert teaching staff, state-of-the-art facilities, and optional work placement modules. In a growing industry with excellent and diverse employment opportunities, graduates can find roles in the fitness industry, coaching, sports therapy, exercise physiology, health promotion and teaching.