Jamie “keita” Hall has officially stepped down as coach of Fnatic’s CS2 team, marking what some call the organization’s most significant roster move in the past four years. This decision follows the team’s disappointing 0-3 performance in the Swiss Stage of the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 Opening Stage.
Keita joined Fnatic in 2021 following his departure from Complexity, where he led the team to a victory at the BLAST Premier: Spring 2020 European Finals. Initially, his arrival was seen as a potential turning point for Fnatic, but the team ultimately failed to reach consistent success under his leadership.
Why keita’s exit might be a turning point
During his time with Fnatic, keita oversaw both triumphs and struggles. The team claimed titles such as DreamHack Open November 2021 and Elisa Masters Espoo 2022, and they achieved a top-8 finish at IEM Rio Major 2022. However, these successes were overshadowed by the team’s overall instability. Over three years, more than 20 players rotated through the roster, and Fnatic’s ranking steadily declined, relegating the organization to a middling position in global standings.
The most recent primary further highlighted the team’s decline. Fnatic’s difficult qualification through the RMR and crushing losses to teams like Rare Atom exposed deep flaws in the roster, emphasizing the need for substantial changes.
Plans for a fresh start in 2025
Following their early exit from the Shanghai Major, Fnatic announced a complete roster overhaul for 2025. Alongside keita’s departure, assistant coach Miks “Independent” Cilinskis has also left, signaling a complete restructuring of the coaching staff.
Fan response
The community broadly welcomed keita’s exit, with many fans expressing relief and optimism for the future. Comments such as “Finally” captured the prevailing sentiment, with supporters eagerly speculating about potential replacements. Names like BERRY, ash, and GeT_RiGhT have already been floated as contenders for the coaching role.
Keita’s departure is unlikely to be the only change for Fnatic. While no official announcements have been made regarding player exits, further roster moves are expected, with as many as two or three players potentially leaving the active lineup. Fans are left to wonder who will be next to depart and are encouraged to share their predictions.
