by Mantas Aliukonis
As sporting director of Hegelmann FC, Giedrius Klevinskas holds one of the most demanding jobs in Lithuanian football. A former professional defender with experience at both club and international level, he is now responsible for shaping the squad, negotiating transfers, and ensuring that the club remains competitive in the A Lyga. This summer alone, he oversaw high-profile sales, managed setbacks in the transfer market, and kept focus on the long-term goals of Lithuania’s vice-champions. In this interview with Baltic Football News, Klevinskas speaks candidly about transfer decisions, financial realities, and the everyday pressures of his role.
For Hegelmann FC, the summer of 2025 was one of intensity and upheaval. Transfer activity dominated headlines, with Serbian midfielder Lazar Kojič and Dutch-Israeli defender Jonathan Mulder both sold abroad, while Cameroonian forward Abdel Kader saw a record-breaking move collapse at the last moment. The outgoing deals brought in around €200,000, yet left a mixed aftertaste. Kojič, described by some as one of the league’s finest number sixes, was sold for less than Klevinskas believes he was worth, while Mulder’s fee was boosted largely by his agents despite a stop-start spell in Lithuania plagued by injury. Kader’s failed transfer to Norway’s Sandefjord, meanwhile, meant that the club missed out on both an immediate windfall and a share of any future resale profit. For Klevinskas, such ups and downs are the nature of the job.
“It’s impossible not to make mistakes – there is always risk. These are people, this is sport. You never know how a player will behave in certain situations. Even top clubs like Manchester United with huge resources make mistakes,” he reflected.
While the departures reshaped the squad, they also underlined Hegelmann’s place in the A Lyga hierarchy. Despite speculation that the club now ranks among the financial heavyweights, Klevinskas is quick to clarify the situation. “We are definitely not third, as was written in some major portals. From what I know, we are fifth. Panevėžys and Šiauliai are ahead of us, not to mention both Žalgiris clubs.” That reality informs the club’s financial discipline. “We have our budget and we do not plan to spend more. Everyone decides for themselves how to use their money. There are seasonal goals, there are situations, but we stick to our plan,” he said, dismissing suggestions of late-season splashing in pursuit of the title.
Ambitions, however, remain high. After winning silver medals last season, Hegelmann have positioned themselves again among the leading contenders, even if the road to gold is long. “Of course we feel we can fight for gold, but there is still a long way to go. Like Kauno Žalgiris and Vilniaus Žalgiris, we think about maximum goals. Nothing is lost yet, everything is possible.” Klevinskas acknowledges that the squad requires constant monitoring, especially in defence, where injuries have stretched resources. “If we find the right player, we will take him at any time. Right now the most pressing position is centre-back, because one was operated on and is out long-term. But this can change after one game or one training session – the season is long.” He does not rule out a future return for Brazilian striker Michael Thuiqe, who impressed in Lithuania previously, but insists that current options up front remain strong and any decision will depend on wider circumstances.
Beyond results and transfers lies the daily grind of a sporting director, a role that Klevinskas portrays as both analytical and relentless. “The most important thing is to find the players the team needs, to build a balanced squad. You must understand what you are looking for and how the coach wants to play. The secret is simple – choose the best players with the money you have.” That requires long hours and global communication. “There is no such thing as a fixed working day. You talk with players from all over the world – Japan, Australia. Because of time zones, sometimes you talk at two or three in the morning. You don’t look at the clock.” The qualities required, he adds, are broad: analytical thinking, negotiation skills, and an ability to connect with different personalities.
Like any football executive, Klevinskas carries with him memories of both highs and lows. The triumph of last year’s silver medals remains fresh, but so too do the disappointments – a painful Lithuanian Cup final defeat to Banga, a European exit against Shkupi, and a 4–0 loss to Sūduva this season. Those setbacks, he admits, are hard to forget. Yet there is also satisfaction in watching players grow. Donatas Kazlauskas, he says, still has more to give in attack but works tirelessly for the team, while young Esmilis Kaušinis has risen quickly from the second team into the starting lineup and represents one of Lithuania’s brightest prospects. “He has everything to become a good player, but it depends on him,” Klevinskas observed.
As the season pushes on, the question of what will constitute success lingers. If Hegelmann finish second again, will that be enough? “Our goal before the season was to win medals. We definitely will not be disappointed, but of course we want to achieve the maximum goal. How it will be – we will see.” For now, the task is to manage resources, nurture talent, and keep the club competitive. Or, in Klevinskas’s own words: “Nothing is lost yet, everything is possible.”
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