Team Heretics announces sOAZ as positional coach, parts ways with FEBIVEN

With its worst-ever split since entering the LEC now behind them, have announced major changes to their coaching staff ahead of Summer, bringing in former EU LCS legend Paul "sOAZ" Boyer as a toplane positional coach while parting ways with midlane coach Fabian "FEBIVEN" Diepstraten. The moves come as the organization looks to recover from a disastrous Spring Split and push towards greater goals within EMEA.

The arrival of sOAZ is part of a wider restructuring of the team's coaching staff built around new head coach Erlend "Nukeduck" Våtevik Holm, who joined the organization in May. Meanwhile, Jonas "Hidon" Vraa will remain with the team, but transition towards a role focused more on the “human side” of the roster rather than in-game elements.

As part of this restructuring, Team Heretics have made several changes to their coaching staff.

The organization cut ties with Emre "Arkhe" Akpınarlı, who subsequently joined Joblife in the LFL, while Fabian "FEBIVEN" Diepstraten was also removed from the staff. According to team director Niklas Geiß, the decision came due to Nukeduck’s own proficiency in the midlane role following his past career as a professional player, meaning there was no longer a place for the former Fnatic midlaner within the team's staff.

Alongside these departures, Team Heretics also adjusted the responsibilities of several members of its staff. Former FlyQuest assistant coach and Nukeduck’s coaching duo Alfonso "Mithy" Aguirre Rodríguez, who had until now supported the team remotely, will temporarily relocate to Berlin to provide more direct assistance during Summer Split preparation and the opening week of competition.

The organization also confirmed that analyst Deam "Deam" Saavedra Carranza will travel from Costa Rica to Berlin to assist the team during Summer, further increasing the size of the staff working alongside the roster.

The biggest addition from today’s announcement is the arrival of Paul "sOAZ" Boyer as Team Heretics' new toplane positional coach. The French veteran will assist rookie , taking over the role previously held by Andrei "Odoamne" Pascu, who departed the position to join Fnatic’s coaching staff instead after winter.

The wording of the official announcement suggests that sOAZ had already been involved with the team for several weeks, potentially since Spring, although his arrival was only officially confirmed today. The former toplaner will also remain in a fully remote position while working with the roster.

With these changes, Team Heretics will have twelve members working from their Berlin office during Summer, according to Niklas Geiß, forming one of the largest team environments currently present in Europe. The size of the staff reflects the organization's commitment to making the current roster work and maximizing the potential of a team that finds itself in a difficult position after a disastrous Spring Split.

Regardless, things can only go up from here for Team Heretics. The organization will make its Summer debut on July 31 against during Week 2 of the competition, as the league will first begin with a road trip organized by Karmine Corp in Paris. The event will only feature G2 Esports, Movistar KOI, Team Vitality, and Karmine Corp from July 24 to 26, with each team playing three matches before the rest of the league joins the action.