Former Lithuania international Rolandas Džiaukštas has been appointed head coach of FK Žalgiris Vilnius, returning to a club where he has already spent several chapters of his footballing career. The 47-year-old has signed a contract running until the end of the current season.
This will be Džiaukštas’ fifth stint with Žalgiris. His playing career both began and ended in Vilnius: he made his A Lyga debut with Žalgiris’ reserve team in 1995–96 and played his final professional match for the club in 2008.
A defender by trade, Džiaukštas spent many years abroad and earned 40 caps for the Lithuanian national team. His coaching career started in 2014–15 with Utenis Utena.
Between 2016 and 2018, he was part of Žalgiris’ coaching staff, winning one league title, three Lithuanian Cups, and two Super Cups. He later worked with youth national teams and joined the Lithuanian men’s national team staff in 2021.
Last year, Džiaukštas was head of coaching at the Žalgiris academy. He admitted that the offer to take charge of the first team came as a surprise, but the opportunity to help his hometown club in a difficult period convinced him to accept.
“I have been following the situation and saw what was happening. A few days ago, I was asked how I would view the opportunity to take charge of the team. This club is very important and close to me. My football journey started here. For me, Žalgiris is not just a word. From childhood, I went to matches. That’s why it is a great honor to accept this offer. Conditions were not the key question. I know big challenges and hard work lie ahead, but I believe we can achieve better results and I will do everything to help the team,” said Džiaukštas after signing his contract.
The new coach already knows part of the squad from his previous coaching roles and from his work within the club’s academy last season, where he assisted the first team during pre-season.
“That also helped me decide to take on this job. I’m not coming in as a complete outsider, I know some of the players. With others, I will get to know them soon. I believe in their potential and that they can perform better. I’ve watched many of the team’s matches this year and I have several ideas I want to introduce that could help us improve results,” he explained.
With the international break currently underway, Žalgiris’ next A Lyga match will be played on September 13 in Gargždai. Džiaukštas will therefore have some time to prepare before his debut on the sidelines.
“In the coming days, we’ll discuss upcoming work with the staff and share responsibilities. We’ll also have talks with the players once they return from their short break. With those who stayed behind, I may meet earlier,” said the coach.
Reflecting on his career, Džiaukštas emphasized the variety of experiences that prepared him for this role:
“I have previously worked here as an assistant coach. There were great victories but also tougher moments. I’ve also been in situations where a coach was changed mid-season, so I know what that feels like. Now we need to find the best solutions to get out of the current situation, even though the team has been showing some decent football recently. I am convinced we can achieve more and restore confidence both on and off the pitch,” said the former national team defender.
Džiaukštas will make his managerial debut on September 13 in an away A Lyga match against Banga Gargždai. His first match in Vilnius will follow on September 19, when Žalgiris faces Riteriai.
