9z has officially appointed Gustavo “yel” Knittel as their new head coach, finalizing their lineup for the 2025 season. This move comes after the organization decided to part ways with Nicolás “buda” Kramer and former coach Gustavo “tge” Motta in December, following their failure to qualify for the Shanghai Major. Their replacements have now been secured with the addition of both Luca “Luken” Nadotti and yel.
After making his coaching debut with KRÜ and leading them to the Shanghai Major RMRs, yel has earned his step up to 9z. His transition marks an important development for the team as they look to refine their approach and push for greater competitive success.
Currently sitting at No. 65 in the Valve rankings, 9z has yet to confirm any upcoming tournaments. Their immediate challenge lies in climbing the ranks to secure invitations to high-profile LAN events. With their refreshed lineup and a new coaching direction, they aim to reposition themselves as strong contenders on the international stage.
The team’s roster moving forward consists of:
- Maximiliano “max” Gonzalez (Uruguay)
- Franco “dgt” Garcia (Uruguay)
- Antonio “MartinezSa” Martinez (Spain)
- Matias “HUASOPEEK” Ibañez Hernandez (Chile)
- Luca “Luken” Nadotti (Argentina)
- Gustavo “yel” Knittel (Brazil – Coach)
Meanwhile, both Nicolás “buda” Kramer and Gustavo “tge” Motta remain on the bench as 9z moves forward with their revamped lineup. With this fresh start, the team’s focus is now on making a strong return to form in 2025.
