Mithy: "This offseason the only team I had a serious conversation with was Karmine Corp"

Team Heretics' coaching staff has incorporated a well-known and influential figure into its ranks this split, with Alfonso “Mithy” Aguirre filling in as Assistant Coach. After several years competing and coaching in North America, the former EU LCS champion has returned to Europe to join the Spanish team's ambitious project in the LEC.

In this exclusive interview with Sheep Esports, Mithy reflects on Heretics' start to the season, his role as a coach while working overseas, the turbulent offseason that led to his departure from FlyQuest, and the evolution of the ecosystem. He also reflects on his legacy within the Spanish League of Legends community and the bonds he forged during his time as a professional player.

Alfonso “Mithy” Aguirre: “The format is fine; the more matches there are, the better. The truth is that I was really excited to return to Europe and work with a Spanish team. It's true that it's a slightly more complicated position, but it's a way to participate and I'm really motivated and looking forward to it.

Mithy: Well, I think some things happened that should have never happened, and some things that should have happened didn’t happen. There's been a bit of everything. It's the beginning of the season, which isn't an excuse, but the reality. There tend to be more silly mistakes, less rapport within the teams, but in playoffs and later in the season, they all improve. The team is fairly new; some players have already played together, but some other haven’t.

Mithy: I'm trying to help as much as I can. It's my first time working remotely, and I'm learning as I go. The schedule doesn't help either. But basically, I was brought in to help Stend (Paul Lardin) and Serin (Tolga Ölmez) with their midgame, and that's what I'm trying to do. It's true that when talking about midlane and support, you need to have a philosophy or a way of seeing the game that the whole team agrees on, so that the support can then contribute more and know where they need to be at any given moment. This also influences how the game is played, from toplane to botlane. So I'm trying to help with that. It's a bit more consulting than anything really.

Mithy: Everything has been positive. The staff members have a great attitude, they're very motivated, very hard-working and, to be honest, they radiate respect. I already knew some of them and... I'm super happy. I feel very comfortable, they've made me feel comfortable, and they're trying to include me, which I know is difficult, because I've also had to work with coaches who worked remotely and it's not easy. So they're doing the best they can.

Mithy: No, the match was very important. I think we approached all of last week's matches with the attitude that they were very important, because we didn’t have a guaranteed spot in the playoffs yet. Even with a 5-5 record, we could still miss out on going to the next stage. You always have to get a 60% win rate to make the playoffs comfortably, so every match is very important. The ones in the first week were the most important, because we had easy teams and we were in a situation where the teams didn't know how they wanted to play yet. But certainly playing against another Spanish team and beating them... specially with how the game developed. I don't know if the spectators liked it, but it was crazy.

Mithy: I don't have my life settled in America. My partner and I are getting married this year. I'm in a transitional phase, trying to settle down a bit, but we don't know yet if we're going to live in America or Europe. All options are open, but it's true that this year we're here.

Mithy: I think that from 2018-2019 onwards, in the last three or four years, I think they've tried to bring in a lot more performance coaches, more accomplished ones, with more experience, physiotherapy, everything more within the team. At G2, I also had physiotherapy through my health insurance, and we had Weldon (Weldon Green), who came once a month or so. We had a little bit of that, but I think now everything is a little more sophisticated at the team level, in terms of the team's infrastructure.

Things are a little more sophisticated both in America and in Europe. I would dare to say that maybe even more in Europe, from what I gather, since America is cutting back a little bit right now. Instead of spending so much money on players and nothing else, they're spending a little less on players and investing a little more in infrastructure and trying to create projects. They're focusing more on infrastructure and doing things right. Whether it shows or not, I don't know, but they're trying, which is what matters. And in terms of the game, obviously, things change a lot in 10 years.

Mithy: The only team I had a serious conversation with was Karmine Corp. Apart from that, the other teams didn't make any offers. It's true that many of the teams already had everything sorted; they picked their coaches first. So, when we left the World Championship, nothing was available, and we didn't know exactly what was going to happen next. So, as we were late to the next season, we didn't have the opportunities that we might have had. But hey, that's part of life. It hasn't been that much of a problem, after all. I didn't have any big plans for this year, as I mentioned before. I have not had a proper conversation with FlyQuest in the sense that they haven't told us exactly what they wanted to do, or they haven't been very transparent about it. So we haven't had much time to make a move.

Mithy: I guess you could say that. The end of the year had a lot to do with it. It's also on an economic level, what the players ask for after winning three splits in a row and the value that each one has. Also, the fanbase issue and so on, with the Bwipo situation, didn't help some narratives either. After all, it’s normal, not many teams stay together in League of Legends for more than two years. Things have been as they usually are. A team with the expectations we had set for ourselves, good or bad... things weren't going the way we wanted, the meta wasn't helping either, and the situation wasn't helping, so... In the end, having a camera inside the room, on top of everything that's going on, the tense moment we're in and so on, well, it doesn't help. But it's good for the fans. At the end of the day, it's the fans who drive esports. But you catch someone at a low point and show things that are good for some and bad for others.

Mithy: No, no, I'm not really aware of it. Every now and then... It's true that people have recognised me on my island or whatever and said, “Wow, didn't you play LoL a while ago?”. It happened to me this Christmas. I was at the HiperDino and someone recognised me. Those are the moments when you think, “Damn, what a time that was”. Then you do feel a little nostalgic, but hey, now there are new players who are making history.

Mithy: It's an honour. I don't think about it often, but it is an honour. The role models are those who are here now and are setting an example of how to do things right.

Mithy: I don't think the French and Spanish communities are that different. The truth is that we are hot-blooded and very passionate. I think that's what makes us different when compared to the American community. I would say that's the biggest difference. But anyway, in the end, all fan bases are different, and it's true that the number of Spanish people who watch, play LoL and are interested in it, is also very high, and I think that's what has helped so much.

Another reference I haven't mentioned is Ibai Llanos, who, even though he hasn't played, has contributed a lot and made the transition from being the first LoL caster, to LoL being his baby project, and he continues to do things for the community. That has attracted an incalculable number of people, all the children who watch Ibai and are interested in LoL and wonder what it is... all that has helped a lot.

Mithy: Make me the coach and you'll see [laughs]. No, I don't want to answer that because things change and there are many factors to consider. Obviously, I'd rather be the one in charge, but at the end of the day, I'd be happy to give the players massages and water and whatever else they need. As long as I'm representing Spain, I'll do whatever they ask me to do.

Mithy: Curiously, the bond that is created between teammates within a team, especially when things are going well and you achieve what you set out to do as part of the team. You have that feeling of sacrifice, me for you and you for me. That bond is what still... I mean, even though I don't keep in touch with half of my former teammates today, I still feel that bond in my heart. It's a feeling of trust I had in that person at that moment. Obviously, we're not going to war, but he would give his life for me and I would give my life for him, but in the Summoner's Rift.

Mithy: I get on well with everyone. And even those I don't usually talk to, I get on great with them too. There's no one I don't get on well with, not at all. I don't keep in touch with Enrique, but I imagine he's doing well. If he disappeared, it's because he wanted to. And I imagine he made the decision he thought was best for his life. So we have to respect that too.

Mithy: Thank you very much for supporting LoL, for making this possible and for giving us this opportunity to demonstrate a high level of skill in a game and for having people watching and for it being such a big deal. It's amazing and we're lucky to be here. Thank you very much.”