Higher management knew from the looks of it
There is no way riot just wake up one morning and think, "Yes, we want to kick Bleed"
They probably told the higher management they are reevaluating or taking a decision days prior to the announcement, management just didn't think Riot would do that or just couldn't give enough fucks to let the players and coaches know

That's messed up specially since they are such a known and prominent eSports org
If Derke wants Vitality let him go
He has done way too much for Fnatic to be selfish now