mini returns to FNATIC as assistant coach

FNATIC FNATIC Europe Rank #1 Leo Leo Jannesson Derke Nikita Sirmitev Boaster Jake Howlett Chronicle Timofey Khromov Alfajer Emir Ali Beder have announced the return of Jacob "Mini" Harris to the squad, filling the assistant coach position for 2024.

Mini was half of the longstanding duo which shaped FNATIC FNATIC Europe Rank #1 Leo Leo Jannesson Derke Nikita Sirmitev Boaster Jake Howlett Chronicle Timofey Khromov Alfajer Emir Ali Beder into the trophy-lifting squad it became in 2023, guiding the team with IGL Jake "Boaster" Howlett. Throughout FNATIC's rebuilds, Mini was responsible for the team's scouting and was often praised for picking up relatively unknown players — such as Nikita "Derke" Sirmitev, Martin "MAGNUM" Penkov, or Emir "Alfajer" Ali Beder — and making a mark with those new additions.

After ending the 2023 season, during which FNATIC won LOCK//IN and Masters Tokyo back-to-back, Mini announced he was stepping down from the team "in search for a better work-life balance." He remained open to offers as assistant coach or general manager, whilst simultaneously in discussions with FNATIC regarding his future with the team. FNATIC also sourced public applications for the assistant coach before re-signing with Mini.

Over a month later, FNATIC revealed Chris "Elmapuddy" Tebbit had stepped into the head coach position for 2024. The Australian coach joined FNATIC off of two years representing the Gen.G Gen.G Korea Rank #1 Munchkin Byeon Sang-beom (변상범) t3xture Kim Na-ra (김나라) Meteor Kim Tae-O (김태오) Lakia Kim Jong-min (김종민) Karon Kim Won-tae (김원태) banner. He oversaw the team's move to the Pacific region this year, which they kicked off with four straight wins. The team ran out of steam quickly though, and missed the year's international tournaments.

FNATIC have been absent from offseason competition since Home Ground 4, their first and only tournament with Elmapuddy, which they won with just two map losses in four matches. With just a few OFF//SEASON tournaments remaining, FNATIC's return is not expected until the 2024 EMEA Kickoff event, scheduled for late February.

FNATIC FNATIC Europe Rank #1 Leo Leo Jannesson Derke Nikita Sirmitev Boaster Jake Howlett Chronicle Timofey Khromov Alfajer Emir Ali Beder 's 2024 roster is now:

Jake "Boaster" Howlett
Leo "Leo" Jannesson
Nikita "Derke" Sirmitev
Timofey "Chronicle" Khromov
Emir "Alfajer" Ali Beder
Chris "Elmapuddy" Tebbit (Head coach)
Jacob "Mini" Harris (Assistant coach)

I think the Champions "desaster" was no fault of mini or any coach. They won 2 major trophies this year, prior to Champions, played every tournament to the GFs and had to travel for every major to the opposite side of the world (South-America, Japan, North-America). When you take a look at how they played Lotus at Champions and 2 months before in Tokyo (where they beat EG 13-3 and PRX 13-5 on Lotus), it was like watching 2 different teams. I guess they were simply exhausted (NRG as well btw.) Sean Gares (I think it was him) made a pretty nice "review" about the whole situation. The insane will of LOUD to win was simply too much in that situation

Since 2024 is going to get even more stressful for all players, the whole "working and recovery" process is what they should adress the most. By skill and strats they're able to win every tournament. The constancy is their only big issue - and it was even worse in 2022 and before.