Fnatic announce Mithy as head coach: ‘Maybe this is the right time to move on from my playing career’
Jack Stewart, Senior Editor
Last Updated: 27/05/2020
In what was one of the least well-kept secrets of the European off season, London-based LEC powerhouse Fnatic have announced former Origen support player Alfonso ‘Mithy’ Aguirre Rodríguez as their head coach for 2020.
Megalodontus reports on the news and offers his opinion on Mithy joining Fnatic.
This will be Mithy’s first ever foray into coaching, filling in the enormous shoes of Youngbuck, who recently signed with British rivals Excel Esports.
Before retiring as a player, Mithy was known to be a very well-respected figure and voice, looked up by many for his intelligence and skills.
One of my favorite changes this off season is @ogmithy stepping into a coaching role. Alfonso has been one of the smartest players that I ever had the pleasure to interact with, great to see former team mates grow into different roles besides playing. GLhttps://t.co/pq4tjLA3Qa
— Marcel Feldkamp (@MarcelFeldkamp) December 5, 2019
Mithy is a decorated veteran within the European community and it will be interesting to see how he adapts to coaching.
When inquired about his retirement, Mithy said: “It’s quite strange, I knew it had to come at some point, and I knew this was going to be my natural career choice after playing for a long time now. But, still, you never really know when the time is right to stop.
“I didn’t really want to play in a not-so-competitive team, so I decided that maybe this was the right time to move on [from my playing career].”
Mithy, Fnatic
Leaving my player career behind is hard, never know when the time really comes along. Either way I've wanted to be a coach for a while now and even though it might not seem like it right now, Im more than excited to venture into this new role 🤗
— Alfonso 'mithy' (@mithygg) December 5, 2019
Fnatic are one of the most successful teams ever in European League history with an astonishing seven championships to their name.
They’ve been well known as an organisation who aren’t afraid to make bold moves and give promising rookies a chance on the big stage. This includes coaching staff.
Fnatic have promoted and nurtured talents such as Rekkles, Huni, Reignover, Broxah and Caps just to name a few.
Mithy added: “I feel that Fnatic has been very well known for talent growth and, even though I’m going to be coach, I feel like they’re going to be helping me a lot in terms of my own personal growth and how I can be better at the job.”
Unless there are further announcements, Fnatic’s roster for the LEC 2020 Spring Split is now complete:-
Yo internet. If it wasn't already clear. Will make it crystal. Start 5 for #FNC2020 is:
— Sam Mathews (@sammathews) November 21, 2019
🧡 @Bwipo
🖤 @selfmade_LoL
🧡 @nemesis_lol
🖤 @RekklesLoL
🧡 @FNCHylissang
Staff announcements soon, multiple roles to fill.
Very very pumped. #fncwin
Fnatic will presumably be looking to add more support staff before the split begins, not to mention announcing their as of yet unknown academy roster with the departures of head coach Jandro, top-laner Bando, flex player Ronaldooo and botlaner xMatty who is allowed to explore options.
‘Fnatic have a team that looks like it will boom or bust’
Opinion by Megalodontus
On paper Fnatic have an extremely talent League of Legends roster, one that on talent alone should easily make top 3 in the LEC. But how they mesh, compromise and work as a team will remain to be seen.
There are a lot of very strong voices present (Mithy included). They do seem like a team that either booms or busts.
With their eternal rivals G2 Esports dominating European hearts and competition for all of 2019, Fnatic are aiming to take back their rightful place at the top and also once again compete for that elusive Worlds title.
As Fnatic founder Sam Matthews states:
Just waking up in Tokyo..
— Sam Mathews (@sammathews) November 20, 2019
Regarding all the negativity, 'losing talent'… Everything in this offseason has been a decision in Fnatics control. For right or wrong, were making bold & tough decisions in order to deliver u a worlds winning team. Things had to change. Not saving💰
Jack Stewart, Senior Editor
In my seven years of esports writing, I've introuduced esports coverage to newspapers, interviewed some of the biggest names in the industry, and driven viewers mad with the puns in my YouTube scripts. I'm most proud of the latter.
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