Despite a few flashes and good performances during the season,
Team Vitality failed to achieve the performances the team had hoped for. Faced with problems, particularly in the support role throughout the year, and unable to find an identity in their game, the team could only manage a 5th-6th place in the
LEC Summer.
Some adjustments seemed necessary to address the team's issues, particularly within the coaching staff. Threatened before the start of the Summer on the results they would achieve, the duo James "Mac" MacCormack and Patrick "Pad" Suckow-Breum both saw their roles evolve within the team.
The long quest around the midlane
Team Vitality had decided fairly early in the offseason that
Mateusz "Czajek" Czajka would not be retained in the midlane position for LEC next season. Despite a rookie year in which he showed promising signs, the player will be sent back to the academy roster for the upcoming year, as he remains under contract with the organization until 2027.
As a result,
Vitality quickly turned its attention to Vladimiros "Vladi" Kourtidis, a profile the organization was particularly interested in. The Greek midlaner had previously played alongside Linas "
Lyncas" Nauncikas and Kadir "
Fleshy" Kemiksiz during his time with
Karmine Corp Blue, making him a familiar option for the Bees’ rebuild.
However, despite sustained interest from Vitality, Vladi ultimately chose to join Fnatic for the upcoming season, forcing the French organization to pivot toward another alternative. At that point, Vitality were left with two major options: Yun "
Poby" Sung-won or Marek "
Humanoid" Brázda. In the end,
Vitality opted for the more experienced choice in Humanoid, who had spent a split on the sidelines following his benching from Fnatic. The Czech midlaner now reunites with Matyáš "
Carzzy" Orság, with whom he won the LEC twice while playing for
MAD Lions in 2021.
A reorganization for coaching staff
In response to the disappointing results of the past two years, Team Vitality have decided to redefine the roles of Mac and Pad within the organization. As a result, Mac has transitioned from Head Coach to Head of Coaching Development,
while Pad has wil assume the Head Coach position. The Danish coach will be supported by several new additions to the coaching staff.
Luka "
Lukezy" Trumbić will retain his role as assistant coach and will be joined by new assistants. Mauro "
Garih" Garih Vidal, who was part of the academy coaching staff during the
LFL Summer Split,
has been promoted to the main roster as a positional coach for the jungle and support roles. In addition, academy head coach
Danusch "Arvindir" Fischer will also take on an assistant coaching position for the upcoming season.
The four players currently on the roster will all remain with the team next year. Signed ahead of the Summer Split after several difficulties at the support position earlier in the season, Fleshy has ultimately been retained. His contract runs until 2026, as do those of Lyncas and Carzzy. Toplane prospect Kaan "Naak Nako" Okan is under contract until 2027.
Team Vitality's reported roster for 2026 season:
- Top: Kaan "Naak Nako" Okan
- Jungle: Linas "Lyncas" Nauncikas
- Mid: Marek "Humanoid" Brázda
- ADC: Matyáš "Carzzy" Orság
- Support: Kadir "Fleshy" Kemiksiz
- Head Coach: Patrick "Pad" Suckow-Breum
- Coach 2: Danusch "Arvindir" Fischer
- Coach 3: Mauro "Garih" Garih Vidal
- Coach 4: Luka "Lukezy" Trumbić
For more roster changes, check out our Transfers Hub and Offseason Live Tracker. Header Photo Credit: Team Vitality
