Gintra of Šiauliai are strengthening their coaching staff. Academy Technical Director and coach Ruben Pérez joins the women's first team as assistant coach and analyst, replacing Dovydas Alaunė.
The Spanish specialist will continue his academy work while contributing to first-team preparation, analysis and support for Head Coach Artūr Sikorskij. Together with Tereza Romanovskaja, he will also lead the reserve team preparing for the 2026 First League season.
Club management see his involvement as a natural step towards closer links between academy and first team and a shared football philosophy.
R. Perez has worked in Šiauliai since becoming Academy Technical Director at the start of last season. He has helped shape its structure, improve coaches' qualifications and introduce Spanish methodology. His experience in Spanish clubs and academies, and as an analyst and assistant in men's teams, will be valuable to the women's coaching staff.
'This is a major sign of trust and a new challenge. Gintra have clear ambitions, a strong identity and high standards. I am delighted to contribute to the first team, support the staff in analysis and training and develop as a specialist,' R. Perez said.
He believes first-team work will further connect the academy and senior sides: 'It matters to me that everyone speaks the same football language, from the youngest players to the first team. I believe that connection will benefit the whole organisation in the long term.'
Club Director Mantas Radavičius described the appointment as a considered and strategically important decision.
'Ruben has quickly demonstrated his competence, work ethic and broad understanding of football. His analytical thinking, methodological grounding and experience in different structures will be very useful to the first team. It also matters that the academy and first team are aligned as closely as possible,' M. Radavičius said.
He also thanked Dovydas Alaunė: 'Dovydas was an important member of the coaching staff. We are grateful for his contribution and wish him success in the next stage of his career.'
