Sources: Machuki and Team Heretics fail to reach an agreement

Víctor "Machuki" Machuca Segura has been allowed to explore new opportunities by Team Heretics heading into the offseason, according to sources close to Sheep Esports. With Machuki's contract set to expire this year, both parties discussed signing a new deal; however, no agreement could be found so far.

Machuki has led Team Heretics LEC roster through the last four splits, starting from Summer 2024. With his contract expiring in mid-November, Machuki has decided to explore his options for 2026, a move the Spanish organization has allowed.

During a stream with Esportmaniacos, Team Heretics co-founder and head of esports Arnau Vidal addressed the future of his head coach. Vidal revealed that Machuki requested a contract renewal worth between €180,000 and €200,000 to continue leading the TH project. To stay competitive for the upcoming season, Arnau Vidal stated his intention to compete for all the top players during the offseason.

Arnau also mentioned that Machuki is concerned about the academy’s future, as there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Superliga. From Machuki's side, it is claimed that his priority is winning with a competitive project, even if it means taking a lower salary on another team as Assistant Coach.

This move comes as part of a wider wave of changes at Team Heretics. As he announced on social media, toplaner Carl "Carlsen" Carlsen has also been allowed to explore his options elsewhere while still under contract with Heretics through 2026.

EDIT: DarthYellow, the agent of Machuki, provided further comments to Sheep Esports. "The figures mentioned by Arnau were only a starting point for negotiations. After further discussions, we were willing to settle for a salary closer to the average for LEC head coaches. His priority remains to be in a competitive team, and the current situation is not the result of financial disagreements."

He added: "Machuki prioritizes competition above all else, and that is the main reason for not continuing with the project. This has been communicated to Heretics. That´s why we are down to be as assistant coach if is needed in a better competitive project getting less salary than now if is needed."

That brings to a close two years with the Spanish organization. Machuki first joined Los Heretics, the academy roster competing in the LVP, at the start of Spring 2024. Things clicked immediately for the Spanish coach as the team comfortably won the Summer Split and went on to compete at the EMEA Masters, where they fell short in a tiebreaker against Geekay Esports in Group A.

Later that same year, he was promoted to succeed Peter "Peter Dun" Dun as Head Coach of the LEC roster for Summer, though the team failed to find success and finished 8th despite fielding big names such as Martin "Wunder" Nordahl Hansen, Marcin "Jankos" Jankowski, and Adrian "Trymbi" Trybus.

In 2025, Machuki and Heretics built an entirely new roster around Flakked, promoting rookies in the solo lanes, including Carlsen, with whom he had already worked in ERLs, and the surprise of the offseason, Kamiloo, who made the leap from LFL Division 2 straight into the LEC. They were joined by two more experienced players, French jungler Théo "Sheo" Borile and support Paul "Stend" Lardin. Despite being consistently ranked low in preseason power rankings, the roster managed to reach the playoffs every split, with their best finish being 6th place in Spring.

For more roster changes, check out our Transfers Hub and Offseason Live Tracker.