FK Žalgiris has entered a new chapter after shareholders voted on Friday to remove long-serving director Vilma Venslovaitienė and appoint Mindaugas Kasperūnas as interim head of Lithuania’s most storied football club.
The decision follows months of turmoil sparked by Venslovaitienė’s controversial use of a dormant contract to acquire shares, which triggered a criminal investigation and deep unrest among supporters. Her departure ends a stormy period marked by scandals, protests, and a sharp decline in results on the field.
Kasperūnas, a lifelong supporter and shareholder, previously served as club director during the 2009 fan-led rescue that saved Žalgiris from collapse. His appointment is intended to stabilise the situation and rebuild credibility. Speaking after the vote, he outlined a clear vision for the club’s revival.
“I believe Žalgiris can be the strongest link between club and city. A club that Vilnius can be proud of, with stands full and the team becoming a true community force,” he wrote. “To achieve this, we need decisions that give the team fresh impetus: strong leadership from the coach and more Lithuanian players on the pitch.”
In his statement, Kasperūnas emphasised the need for professional structures in the administration, with roles such as sporting director and academy head taking responsibility for player development and sporting policy. He also spoke about rebuilding the bond with supporters, insisting that Žalgiris must be open and transparent so that fans feel they are genuine participants in the life of the club. On the sporting side, he called for a renewed identity rooted in homegrown players and a coach with the authority to set high standards.
“My goal is to create a Žalgiris that belongs to all of us – with professional structures, transparent activity, an open community, and a team we support not out of duty but out of pride,” Kasperūnas stressed.
Beyond football, the new director is known for his humanitarian work in Ukraine, having led supply missions to soldiers and civilians since 2014 through his initiative Daiktai Frontui (“Things for the Front”).
Whether his vision can halt the club’s slide remains to be seen. But after one of the most turbulent summers in Žalgiris’ modern history, shareholders and fans alike will hope Kasperūnas can once again help steer Lithuania’s flagship club back toward stability and pride.
