The winds of change are blowing hard through the halls of Fnatic. Following a grueling 2026 campaign that saw the EMEA powerhouse miss VALORANT Champions for the first time in its history, the organization has officially parted ways with head coach Andrey “ENGH” Sholokhov.
This decision marks the end of a short, high-pressure tenure for the Russian tactician. Brought in during VCT EMEA Stage 2 to inject new life into a struggling squad, ENGH was tasked with stabilizing a team that had lost its rhythm. Despite his pedigree and the high hopes surrounding his arrival, the results simply didn't materialize. The team’s failure to qualify for Champions—culminating in an elimination by Joblife during the VCT EMEA Play-Ins—left the organization with little choice but to hit the reset button.
A New Direction for 2027
The departure of ENGH is not an isolated event; it is the first domino to fall in what promises to be a complete reconstruction of the Fnatic project. The atmosphere surrounding the team has shifted dramatically in the last 48 hours. Long-time IGL Jake “Boaster” Howlett has also been granted permission to explore new opportunities, signaling that the "Black and Orange" are ready to move on from the core that defined their era of dominance.
For ENGH, the hunt for a new project begins immediately. Having previously spent nearly three years at the helm of Karmine Corp, he remains one of the most experienced coaches in the scene. Reports indicate he is keeping his options broad, with interest in building projects across Japan, the Americas, and his home region of EMEA, where he remains keen on fostering CIS talent.
As Fnatic looks to reclaim its throne, the community is left wondering who will be tasked with steering the ship through this transition. With trials already underway and the off-season in full swing, the next few weeks will be critical for the organization.
For those tracking the latest movements and team developments, keep an eye on our MyEsports predictions and matches pages as the VCT landscape shifts ahead of 2027.