Sources: YamatoCannon set to join Los Ratones as Head Coach

Los Ratones YamatoCannon

YamatoCannon comes back to the LEC after the Karmine Corp episode in Winter 2024

Jakob "YamatoCannon" Mebdi is set to join Los Ratones as Head Coach, according to sources close to Sheep Esports. The experienced coach, content creator and former on-air analyst will take charge of the team and should take on the role previously occupied by Marc "Caedrel" Lamont in 2025. Yamato will occupy this function only through the end of 2025 which includes the Red Bull League of Its Own event, and the LEC Winter split in 2026.

He thus joins a second project that initially combined entertainment and competition ambitions, after having served as Head Coach for Ruddy Sack during the Winter and Spring NLC splits.

For context, Los Ratones is one of the two teams set to join the LEC in Winter 2026, following Riot Games’ new format changes for next year’s competition. The project, which began as a community-driven initiative led by content creator Caedrel, is now clearly shifting toward a more competitive direction.

A new path for 2026

That ambition is reflected in all the latest updates surrounding the organization. As confirmed by Caedrel on his stream earlier in November, Los Ratones will not compete in the NLC next year. “Some people asking about it: Will you be in NLC next year? No,” he said. “We are a bit done with NLC, so we won’t be there. But we are in LEC in Winter Split. We are not going to compete in NLC at all. Stay tuned with more updates.”

With their move away from the regional circuit, it remains to be seen where Los Ratones will compete after the LEC Winter Split. However, the addition of YamatoCannon sends a clear message of intent. Known for his leadership and motivational approach, he previously coached teams such as Fnatic, Team Vitality, and Karmine Corp—guiding the latter during its first split in the LEC in 2024.

As of now, Martin "Rekkles" Larsson remains the only player who stated publicly he will play for sure for Los Ratones’ 2026 roster. The veteran AD carry reaffirmed his commitment to the project, saying, “My commitment is to give everything I can to Los Ratones.” His continued presence provides stability to a roster still in development and bridges the organization’s new coaching direction with its competitive identity.

Meanwhile, Simon "Thebausffs" Hofverberg, who helped the team win three NLC titles and two EMEA Masters, shared his thoughts about his future with the organization. Following the team’s elimination from the EMEA Masters Summer Split semifinals, TheBaus expressed that the evolving direction of Los Ratones toward a fully professional athlete team may not align with his own goals.

“Depending on how next year looks, we are turning more and more into a professional athlete team, and I have no place in that,” he said. “I will not give up my streaming career to be a pro player. If I can do both, that’s great.”