Emerging
Jun 18, 2026 Major2
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Giedrius Žibėnas breaks silence after departure from Rytas: "The pressure cannot exceed the joy of the journey"
Three weeks after being dismissed as head coach of Vilnius Rytas, Giedrius Žibėnas broke his silence with an Instagram post reflecting on his tenure with the quote "The pressure cannot exceed the joy of the journey." During his five-year leadership, he won two LKL championships, three runner-up titles, and the club's historic first FIBA Champions League trophy in 2026. Meanwhile, Rytas continues its turbulent search for a successor, with Kazys Maksvytis a leading candidate but opposed by some fans, and assistant Nedas Pacevičius as an alternative.
Quick Facts
Who
Giedrius Žibėnas
What
posted his first public statement after dismissal
When
2026-06-18
Where
Vilnius, Lithuania
- posted his first public statement after dismissal
- shared the quote 'The pressure cannot exceed the joy of the journey'
- was dismissed as head coach
- club failed to reach LKL semifinals
- club is searching for a successor
Just over three weeks after being dismissed as head coach of Vilnius Rytas, Giedrius Žibėnas has posted his first public statement on social media, sharing moments from his tenure and a reflective quote: "The pressure cannot exceed the joy of the journey." The post, published on a private Instagram account followed by nearly 6,000 users, marks the first time the long-serving coach has addressed his departure.
Žibėnas initially joined Rytas as an assistant coach in the 2020–2021 season and took over as head coach in January 2021. During his five-year leadership, he guided the club to two Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) championships in 2022 and 2024, three LKL runner-up finishes (2021, 2023, 2025), and the club's historic first FIBA Champions League trophy in 2026. This past season, Rytas also earned silver medals in the King Mindaugas Cup.
The club dismissed Žibėnas after failing to reach the LKL semifinals, despite the coach being under a valid one-year contract. The departure has sparked significant media attention, with reports indicating that Rytas has been actively searching for a successor—a process described as a "dramatic series."
According to journalist Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews, Rytas has prepared a contract for Kazys Maksvytis, a former coach of rival club Kaunas Žalgiris. However, activist fan group "B Tribūna" has strongly opposed the potential hiring. Journalist Rokas Pakėnas of 15min.lt adds that if negotiations with Maksvytis fail, the club's management has identified assistant coach Nedas Pacevičius—a former Žibėnas assistant—as a leading internal candidate. Pacevičius previously worked with Vilnius Wolves and Utena Juventus.
Žibėnas's post has resonated widely across Lithuanian basketball circles, as fans and analysts reflect on his tenure, which included multiple titles and a historic European run.
Topics
Why This Matters
This development provides insight into the management and coaching dynamics of a top Lithuanian basketball club, Vilnius Rytas, which directly impacts the competitive landscape of the LKL and European basketball. For basketball enthusiasts, analysts, and fans following European club basketball, understanding the coaching transition and fan reactions is crucial for predicting team performance and future strategies.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2022
WireWon first LKL championship
Jan 1, 2024
WireWon second LKL championship
Jan 1, 2026
WireWon historic first FIBA Champions League trophy for Rytas
Jun 18, 2026
WireŽibėnas posted first public message on Instagram