According to sources close to
Sheep Esports, the French powerhouse
Team Vitality is set to make its first offseason move in the
VCT EMEA scene after reaching a verbal agreement with
Gregor "PAL" Morton, the head coach of BBL Esports. PAL was one of the most sought-after coaches in the
VALORANT regional elite. He recently led the Turkish squad to a strong Stage 2 performance
with a top 3. Notably, he will oversee Vitality’s roster overhaul, evaluate the current lineup, and steer the team’s strategy moving forward. This bold move is expected to be the first domino to fall in the EMEA offseason and kick off Vitality’s early reshaping of the squad.
Even amid changes, Vitality’s star duo remains intact. Sources indicate that the team plans
to keep world-class Duelist Nikita "Derke" Sirmitev in place for the next season. Derke joined Vitality from Fnatic in 2025 and is one of Europe’s top fraggers. He will continue to be a cornerstone of the team. Meanwhile, Vitality has
also secured rising talent Ștefan “Sayonara” Mitcu on a prearranged deal. As reported earlier this year, Sayonara signed with the Bees but must wait until he turns 18 to join the VCT active roster. With Derke guaranteed and Sayonara on the way, PAL inherits a core foundation and will have the freedom to finalize any remaining spots.
Vitality's organizational shake-up follows a turbulent campaign. The Bees started the year strong, claiming the VCT EMEA Kickoff 2025 title and reaching the semifinals at Masters Bangkok. This showcased their elite potential. However, Vitality's performance declined significantly during the regular season. In Stage 1, they won only two group matches and were eliminated from the playoffs early. In Stage 2, they barely made it into the playoff bracket, surviving a must-win match and narrowly defeating lower-ranked M8 2-1 to secure the final spot. Ultimately, the campaign fell short of expectations. Team Vitality finished 7th–8th in Stage 2, missing the top finishers who earned Champions slots.
After that rollercoaster year, Vitality clearly sees the need to tweak the formula. Bringing PAL on board so early signals an aggressive approach to retooling the squad. With the league’s roster window opening soon, the French club is looking to secure its key players and give its new coach time to build around them before the 2026 season. As the sources noted, this move could set the tone for the entire EMEA offseason the first in what could be a wave of big changes across the region.
