BIG has announced the departure of their head coach, Alexander “kakafu” Szymanczyk, bringing an end to his tenure with the German organization. Stepping in as his temporary replacement is Sebastian “xenn” Hoch, who previously coached ALTERNATE aTTaX and joined BIG as an assistant earlier this year.
Kakafu, who had been with the team since May 2024 after replacing Fatih “gob b” Dayik, was promoted from assistant coach during a period of transition when BIG reverted to an all-German lineup. His role was instrumental in stabilizing the squad, but the team ultimately fell short of breaking into the top 10 rankings or securing playoff appearances at major tournaments. This inability to make significant competitive strides ultimately led to his removal.
This marks the end of kakafu’s second stint with BIG, having previously served as their coach between 2017 and 2018. During that earlier tenure, he helped guide the team to a surprising playoff finish at the PGL Krakow Major, a run that gained notoriety due to the controversial use of a jump bug exploit.
With xenn taking over on an interim basis, BIG is preparing for a packed competitive schedule. The organization has confirmed its participation in upcoming high-profile tournaments, including IEM Melbourne and PGL Astana. Additionally, their strong standing in the Valve Global Rankings—currently holding the 20th position—has effectively locked in their spot for the Major Regional Qualifiers.
As the team looks ahead to these crucial events, the leadership shift presents an opportunity for BIG to recalibrate and push for stronger results under new guidance. Whether xenn’s appointment will evolve into a permanent role depends on the team’s performance in the coming months. For now, the organization is focused on making the necessary adjustments to finally break past the barriers that have held them back from achieving top-tier success.
