Crazy story: From floor scrubber in a pub to Champions League coach

Vaidotas Dambrauskas, the Lithuanian coach of Azerbaijani club Sabah, arrives at Old Trafford tonight for a Champions League match against Manchester United. Twenty years ago, he worked in London as a floor scrubber, gardener, and odd-job man to fund his coaching courses. His team qualified for the league stage for the first time in its history after a dramatic victory over Hapoel Be'er Sheva.

Vaidotas Dambrauskas, a 49-year-old Lithuanian coach, leads Azerbaijani side Sabah tonight (Thursday) to a Champions League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford. This is a personal achievement and a full-circle moment: just over 20 years ago, he worked odd manual jobs in London—as a gardener, newspaper distributor, handyman, and floor polisher in pubs—to fund coaching courses with the English Football Association. His journey began at age 12 when he realized he wouldn't become a professional player. At 25, he participated in the Lithuanian version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?", won, and used the money to fly to London. In 2004, he was hired by Manchester United's school football department, became the first Lithuanian with a UEFA license through England, and later worked at Fulham and Brentford. He subsequently won 13 titles in Eastern Europe. Last season, he led Sabah to the championship and a double in Azerbaijan, and the club qualified for the Champions League league stage for the first time in its history after a dramatic extra-time victory over Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the playoffs. The draw pitted him against Manchester United, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Borussia Dortmund.