Last spring, new investors led by the sports agency “Triple M” acquired a majority stake in Kretinga’s Minija, taking over the club with the condition that investment would follow, infrastructure would be improved and, in the coming years, the team would attempt to reach Lithuania’s Toplyga on sporting merit.
Are these just another group of investors, or potential saviours of Lithuanian football? Naturally, over the years, foreign investors in Lithuania have often been associated with negative experiences. In many cases, their primary goal was profit or gaining control of publicly significant assets at a low cost. This has ranged from large-scale privatisation projects, such as “Mažeikių nafta”, “Kuro aparatūra” or the Vilnius computing machinery factory “Sigma”, to simpler schemes where football or basketball clubs were used as vehicles for financial gain.
Have those times passed? Practice suggests that while the forms may have changed, the underlying models often remain the same. This pattern has been visible for years in both Lithuanian football and basketball.
Against this backdrop, questions naturally arise – will the new owners of Minija be able to achieve what currently seems difficult, and what can the local community realistically expect from them?
Part-owner M. Fofana addressed these topics in detail.
The plans for Minija, according to Fofana, remain consistent with what was outlined last year: to reorganise the club, make it more professional and invest in infrastructure.
Currently, the club is investing its own funds into renovating the interior spaces of the Kretinga stadium’s stands building. The project includes upgraded dressing rooms for players, the installation of a gym, new office spaces, and the creation of a small video analysis room where the team can gather. There will also be dedicated facilities for a physiotherapist, including massage tables and treatment areas.
In addition to this, last August the investors purchased six hectares of land. The initial plan is to prepare it for outdoor training sessions, while in the longer term – once winter approaches – the aim is to construct an inflatable indoor arena. However, construction documents are not yet in place, and the club prefers to complete the work before speaking about it in detail.
When it comes to the squad, this year’s team will be built around experienced Lithuanian players or footballers who have already played in Lithuania. The club has also taken in a number of players from other Lithuanian teams, including Nevėžis, Atmosfera and Tauras.
From Tauras, Minija signed two players – Nigerian forward Diba Nwegbo and experienced 34-year-old midfielder Lee Min-Woo. The squad has also been strengthened by midfielder Sergej Amirzian, who has previously played within the structures of several Lithuanian clubs, and Estonian Nikita Komissarov, who earlier played for Šiauliai.
Compared to last season, when the team relied heavily on young players, this winter Minija brought in a significantly larger number of experienced footballers. This marks the key difference in squad construction between this season and the previous one.
The club’s objective for the season is straightforward – to win as many matches as possible and continue growing as an organisation.
At the same time, player sales are part of the long-term plan. The club aims to regularly sell players during the season. The first step in that direction was already taken this winter, when 20-year-old Ivorian forward Moussa Cisse was transferred to Czech second-tier side Dynamo České Budějovice. Internally, this is seen as a positive signal for the club’s structure.
Preparation for the season was also been evaluated positively. Minija drew 1-1 in Latvia against Grobiņa, a team competing in the Virslīga, and also tested themselves against one of the First League’s stronger sides, Babrungas.
Fofana expects the current season to be one of the most competitive in recent years, noting that several clubs have realistic chances of fighting for the title. Among those mentioned were Be1 NFA, Tauras and Neptūnas, while Minija and the Alytus team were also included in that group.
The decision to appoint head coach D. Gvildys, despite Tauras not achieving their targets last season, was based on his familiarity with the league and the country, as well as his experience at Toplyga level. Looking at last year’s statistics, Tauras were among the stronger teams in the league, conceding relatively few goals and performing solidly in attack until the departure of a South Korean midfielder during the summer window. After his exit, the team’s results declined.
Minija also brought in Tauras’ striker, who scored 11 goals after joining them last summer. One of the club’s main goals is for players to improve and eventually be sold, and they hope that under Gvildys this process will be successful. Additionally, many players are expected to be highly motivated, particularly when facing their former teams.
When asked about investment, Fofana declined to disclose exact figures but confirmed that significant sums are being invested into the club’s infrastructure. The current focus remains on renovating the stadium facilities and building a competitive squad capable of fighting for promotion to the top division.
At the same time, the club emphasises a careful financial approach. Contracts must be handled wisely, as overspending can quickly lead to losses. The aim is to identify players who fit the club’s needs rather than simply paying higher salaries. Publicly disclosing budgets can also create unrealistic expectations among players.
Minija’s approach to recruitment is data-driven. Last season, they were the only First League club using the Wyscout platform, which allows them not only to identify players more effectively but also to facilitate their sale. Fofana himself previously worked within Mansa Sports Management, where he was responsible for scouting operations, including player analysis and recruitment.
The club’s budget this year is significantly higher than last season, which is reflected in the quality of players signed. However, exact numbers have not been disclosed.
Fofana also confirmed that the investors frequently travel to Lithuania. He himself lives in London but benefits from a direct flight connection to Palanga, which was one of the factors in choosing Kretinga. Typically, he arrives before matches and returns shortly after.
Day-to-day operations at the club are overseen by Vidas Burba, whose work the investors rate positively. Changes have also been made within the coaching staff, including replacing the goalkeeping coach and bringing in specialists who better align with the club’s football philosophy.
The club admits that mistakes were made last season, particularly regarding player behaviour and professionalism off the pitch. As a result, recruitment this year has been more selective, with greater emphasis placed on mentality and character.
An example of this approach is Sergej Amirzian, who was scouted while playing in Lithuania’s third tier. Despite playing at a lower level, his mentality stood out – he consistently gave maximum effort on the pitch. Following a trial, he was offered a contract, despite previously having semi-professional status.
Looking ahead, the project is planned over the long term. Within five years, Minija aim to become a stable Toplyga club. The first step is to professionalise the club and build a strong foundation. If promotion is achieved within that period, the next objective will be to stabilise at the top level, develop players and eventually compete for European qualification places.
The investors stress that this is not a short-term project. While some may have assumed they arrived only for a brief period, they state their commitment is for at least ten years, with long-term cooperation planned with the Kretinga municipality.
Before acquiring Minija, the group also received an offer to take over Vilnius Riteriai and their place in the A Lyga but declined after assessing the situation. Fofana questioned how the club had been allowed to compete at the top level despite financial concerns and noted he was unfamiliar with the club’s London-based owner.
The club also emphasises the importance of timing in player transfers. For example, interest from a Kazakh top-division club in defender Makan Diawara was rejected, as the offer did not meet expectations. The priority remains both sporting success and demonstrating that players from Minija can move to stronger leagues.
The recruitment strategy has also evolved in terms of foreign players. African players, in particular, often require more time to adapt, and the club does not always have the luxury of waiting. As a result, their number in the squad has been reduced this season.
At the same time, Minija remain committed to developing Lithuanian players, especially given league regulations requiring a minimum number of domestic players on the pitch.
According to data from the Lithuanian Register Centre, Minija’s budget stood at €130,000 in 2024 and around €400,000 in 2025, with approximately half provided by the Kretinga district municipality. The 2026 budget has not been disclosed.
According to Transfermarkt, M. Dembélé, once valued at €50 million, has become increasingly involved in football-related activities as his playing career nears its end. Alongside “Triple M”, he has also acquired the Malian club AS Mansa.
Whether the Minija project will prove sustainable – or whether investor interest will fade over time – remains an open question. Both “Triple M” and “Mansa Sports” have a large number of directors within their structures, but ultimately, the success of the project will depend on practical execution.
After the first four rounds of the Pirma Lyga season, Minija sit at the top of the table alongside Babrungas. The next round will take place during the upcoming weekend.
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