Opportunities, results, and achievements are closely tied to ambition and hard work — something Kotryna Kulbyte, currently head coach of the Uzbekistan women’s national football team, understands very well. Having been involved in sports since childhood, she realized early on that coaching was her true calling, one that would eventually lead her to the top levels of international football.

Earlier this year, Kotryna Kulbyte was offered the position of head coach for the Uzbekistan women’s national team. She accepted the offer, made her way to Central Asia, and got off to a flying start — leading the team through a successful AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualification campaign, creating history in the process.

“The whole country lives and breathes football,” Kulbite said in an interview with LRT, a Lithuanian news outlet. “For the first time ever, the men’s national team qualified for the World Cup. Now, the country is simply inhaling football.”

Kulbyte built the foundations of her coaching career in Lithuania, where she managed the U15 and U17 girls’ national teams, and served as assistant coach for the senior women’s side under Daniel Wimmer. In February 2024, she was named Lithuania’s Best Coach of the Year at the national football awards.

“Football is just a sport — It has no gender”

Throughout her career, Kulbyte has encountered various stereotypes, but rather than discouraging her, they have pushed her forward:

“I believe we should all follow our own path and recognize that football is just a sport. There is no men’s or women’s football — there’s just football. We should be evaluated not as women or men, but as professionals.”

Asian experience — Building the foundation for the future

“Uzbekistan is hot,” Kulbyte says with a smile. “It took some time to adapt, but the people are incredibly warm and welcoming. The culture is very different from Europe. Most people are Muslim, so there are distinct customs and traditions. But integration didn’t take long.”

Ranked 55th in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, Uzbekistan’s growing ambitions — especially after the men’s qualification to the World Cup — have ignited a new era for football in the country.

A 5-year journey — How the Uzbekistan offer came to be

“The Uzbekistan Football Association was specifically looking for a female coach from Europe — that gave me an advantage (laughs). Funny story: five years ago in Turkey, I met one of their coaches. Later, he said, ‘Your profile is exactly what we’re looking for. Can I propose you as a candidate?’ I sent in my CV, and after a while, the head coach himself contacted me: ‘Your résumé is sitting on my desk.’ It was a five-year journey — but it all came together naturally.”

Before her move to Uzbekistan was publicly announced, the president of the Lithuanian Football Federation, Edgaras Stankevičius, confirmed that she was offered the position of head coach of the Lithuanian women’s team, but she chose the international challenge instead.

“It was a tough decision. Lithuania is my home, and of course, I can always return. But I wanted to pursue the best version of myself.”

“There was football before me, and there will be football after me”

Kulbyte signed a contract with the Uzbekistan national team until the end of this year, with an option to extend for another year. In a short span, she has led the team through over 10 matches, securing qualification to the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

With emphatic wins over Sri Lanka (10–0) and Laos (7–0), and a 3–3 draw against Nepal, Uzbekistan’s women’s team returned to the Asian Cup after a 23-year absence.

“It’s the first time in history that we’ve qualified under this tournament format. It’s a huge moment for women’s football and for Uzbekistan. Yes, sometimes you need a bit of luck, but the federation arranged both official and friendly fixtures for us. A lot of hard work went into this.”

“This isn’t just my achievement — it’s a collective victory for the team, the association, and the entire football community. There was football before me, and there will be football after me.”

At the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, scheduled for March in Australia, Uzbekistan has been drawn into a tough group alongside DPR Korea, China, and Bangladesh.

“A lot will be decided in just three games. The top two teams from each group qualify directly for the Women’s World Cup. The third-placed teams will go through to the playoffs.”

Asian football – Different schedules, different pressures

“There’s a big difference between Asian and European football. In Europe, the calendar is well structured and planned out. In Asia, tournaments are centralized — you gather in one location and play three matches in seven days. It’s intense. Preparation has to be adjusted accordingly.”

Family influence and the first steps in Coaching

Kulbyte grew up in a sports family — her father was a boxing coach, which strongly influenced her path.

“I started coaching while still playing in Vilnius. First in kindergartens, then at the Baltic Football Academy. I immediately realized this was my calling — I truly enjoy helping athletes grow.”

In Lithuania, she coached the U15 and U17 girls’ national teams and served as assistant coach for the senior women’s team.

“Every stage teaches you something. Working with youth means spotting and developing talent. With the national team, it’s all about results. Both experiences are essential.”

“I see myself as a coach who brings a team together. Video analysis is my passion.”

After being named Lithuania’s Coach of the Year, she took the trophy with her to Uzbekistan.

“It’s a reminder — act now, not later. This is not just recognition, it’s a responsibility.”

“There’s no Men’s or Women’s football – There’s only football”

Kulbyte is encouraged by the growing professionalism in the women’s game:

“Football is becoming more and more professional. The number of specialists and qualified coaches in the women’s game is increasing. I’ve had opportunities to observe tournaments in Europe and I’m currently studying under a UEFA program, learning from the head coach of the Norway national team for two years.”

“I started this journey 14 years ago. Today, Lithuania has many talented female coaches — some of them are even working in men’s football. Of course, there were stereotypes, but they only motivated me.”

“We need to be judged not as men or women, but as professionals. Football is just football.”

On Lithuanian Football

“Football is growing in Lithuania, but I want coaching to be viewed as a real, respected profession. Salaries and working conditions need to improve. Because the better the coach — the better the players, the better the football.”