Spirit names hally head coach; both miss IEM Cologne opener

Spirit has promoted Sergey ‘hally’ Shavaev to head coach and assigned Dmitry ‘S0tF1k’ Forostyanko to focus on in-game micro and tactical work. Both coaches will miss the opening matches of the IEM Cologne Major after hally was hospitalized and S0tF1k was refused a Schengen visa.

The organisation said hally will be ‘head of the project’ and that the team will play ‘his brand of CS’. It added that S0tF1k will handle ‘micro stuff, strats, mechanics, nades’. Spirit expects hally to recover and rejoin the squad during later stages of the tournament, while both coaches will assist the roster remotely at the start of the event.

Neither coach will be present for at least the beginning of Stage 2 in Cologne. The pair had been due to make their live debut together in Germany after a period of improved results while S0tF1k served as interim coach.

S0tF1k stepped in previously when hally temporarily withdrew for health reasons. Under S0tF1k’s interim role, Spirit finished second at IEM Rio and won PGL Astana, ending a nine-month trophy drought.

Observers noted clearer utility usage and improved fundamentals during the interim period. Player tN1R commented, ‘S0tF1k is trying to fix some very important mistakes, and trying to give us more freedom.’ The organisation has said the long-term plan keeps hally in the coaching seat for matches, with S0tF1k focused on detailed tactical and mechanical work.

Spirit confirmed both coaches will support the team online while competition begins in Cologne. The club did not provide a specific timeline for hally’s return, only that he is expected to reunite with the team for the later portions of the Major.

Spirit arrives in Germany after recent form gains and will begin its IEM Cologne campaign without either coach on site.