GIANTX coach Guilhoto misses next LEC Versus match for personal reasons

Jack Stewart, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 30/01/2026

GIANTX’s League of Legends head coach André Guilhoto will miss Week 3 of LEC Versus due to personal reasons.

The LoL esports organisation released a statement revealing that Guilhoto will miss the crucial match against Natus Vincere (NAVI).

Both teams are currently tied for second, alongside Fnatic and Movistar KOI, with records of four wins and two losses apiece.

The statement from GIANTX read:

At GIANTX, we want to express our full support and understanding to André during this time.

“The well-being of our members is a priority, and we fully respect his decision to take the time he needs.

“Despite the situation, the team has maintained its regular training schedule, ensuring everyone stays focused and prepared for the upcoming match.”

Guilhoto is an esports veteran, having coached an LEC or LCS team every year since 2018 expect for a two-year stint in Spain’s LVP.

He coached Schalke into EU LCS promotion, Origen to second place against 2019 G2 Esports, and Team Liquid to an LCS Lock In trophy.

Now, he is in his second year with GIANTX and clearly believes in this roster as the organisation made no roster changes before 2026.

In his place, former Fnatic support and GIANTX assistant coach Rúben ‘Rhuckz’ Barbosa will step up as head coach for the NAVI match.

He is one of two former pros coaching the organisation, as former LEC jungler Nubar ‘Maxlore’ Sarafian joined GIANTX for 2026.

Speaking ahead of the next LEC game, Rhuckz took to Twitter to reassure GIANTX fans:

“Nothing changes, we just have one more reason to do better, for him. See you tomorrow vs NAVI.”

The organisation also gave Rhuckz a vote of confidence, saying:

“We trust in his experience and commitment, which will be crucial to guide the team through this period.

GIANTX’s performances in the LEC so far

GIANTX currently hold an impressive 4-2 record and sit high up in the standings with a good chance to reach the LEC Versus Finals ‘Roadtrip.’

However, the eye test is less kind to GIANTX, who haven’t looked all that convincing.

Their first two wins, versus Shifters and G2 Esports, were because their opponents made big mistakes and threw away their leads.

Yet, in their last game, GIANTX picked up a very clean win over the impressive MKOI.

The bot lane duo of Oh ‘Noah’ Hyeon-taek and Yoon ‘Jun’ Se-jun continue to be a major threat to the rest of the LEC.

Jack Stewart, Senior Editor

In my seven years of esports writing, I've introduced 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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