Appearing on Laikykitės ten with Andrius Tapinas, FK Žalgiris director Mindaugas Kasperūnas spoke candidly about the crisis facing the club and his vision for how it must change. The former Pietų IV member mixed frankness with frustration, describing the inner conflicts that have defined Žalgiris’ turbulent year.
“In football, it’s simple — when you win, you’re a king; when you lose, you’re a fool,” he said. “When victories disappear, every old problem resurfaces. I’ve never liked this idea of one person owning the club’s identity — whether it’s ‘Janusz’s Žalgiris,’ ‘Kastujev’s Žalgiris,’ or ‘Vilma’s Žalgiris.’ It was never hers, but that’s how it was portrayed. That’s a huge problem. Look at Kauno Žalgiris — it’s not tied to a single name.”
Kasparūnas revealed he had warned both Vilma Venslovaitienė and shareholders about rising tensions with fans: “I told them — talk to the supporters. Fans wanted the coach gone, but the leadership chose the coach over them. That’s dangerous. If fans decide to act, security won’t help. They have limits — and they’re not grandmothers listening to opera.”
He emphasized that Žalgiris must become a community club, one representing supporters and independent voices rather than a small group of owners. “I’d like to see more clear-headed people among the shareholders — people who care about the club, not their own interests. We need fan representatives, business members, a real collective.”
Looking ahead to the crucial November 17 shareholders’ meeting, Kasperūnas was blunt about the stakes: “Either these strategic changes happen, or if they don’t and I don’t have support — then fine, replace me. Appoint your own director and keep scheming. But everything we’ve started will be lost.”
Source: https://www.sportas.lt/naujiena/529703/mindaugas-kasperunas-jeigu-strateginiai-pokyciai-neivyksta-o-as-neturiu-dalininku-palaikymo-uzsip-kit-tada
