Fnatic have found their head coach for the 2027
VCT EMEA season. The multiple-time EMEA champions, who have already reached agreements with several players to build their roster for next season, have decided to bring in Kyrylo "
ANGE1" Karasov to usher in a new chapter in the organisation's history, sources tell
Sheep Esports.
A few weeks ago,
Sheep Esports reported that Andrey "
Engh" Sholokhov, who took over as head coach ahead of VCT EMEA Stage 2 2026,
would not continue with the team following a brief and ultimately unsuccessful tenure. To replace him, Fnatic have turned to the former Ukrainian player, who transitioned from playing to coaching during the last offseason while remaining with NAVI. After a turbulent first year in a coaching role within the Ukrainian organisation, he will now take charge of Fnatic as they look to rebuild the team.
A Major Challenge Ahead
In his first year as a coach, ANGE1 encountered almost every challenge a coach can face: an underperforming roster, visa issues and constant changes within the team. NAVI failed to reach the playoffs in either Stage 1 or Stage 2 this season, with inconsistent results preventing the team from making significant progress. The Ukrainian organisation has since allowed all its players to explore their options, and some have already found new teams. The same now applies to its head coach and long-standing member, who had represented NAVI as a player since 2023.
ANGE1 will take over a Fnatic roster that is also undergoing a major rebuild after one of the worst seasons in the organisation's competitive history. For the first time ever, Fnatic failed to qualify for an international event this season, while the departure of Emir "Alfajer" Beder to Gentle Mates, per sources, marks the end of an era for the team.
However, Fnatic have already secured two new additions, with Martin "marteen" Pátek and Patrik "Minny" Hušek making the opposite move from Gentle Mates to Fnatic. It will now be up to ANGE1 to shape this new roster and lead the team back to the heights it failed to reach this season.
