FaZe Clan Adds NEO as Coach for IEM Cologne
| Tags: CS2
| Author The News One
FaZe Clan has recruited legendary Polish player Filip “NEO” Kubski as their coach for the highly anticipated IEM Cologne tournament
FaZe Clan has made a significant coaching change ahead of IEM Cologne, enlisting the services of the revered Polish player NEO, according to reliable sources at Dust2.us. This decision comes in the wake of RobbaN's recent retirement, bringing an end to his highly successful seven-year coaching stint with FaZe.
NEO, a renowned figure in the history of Counter-Strike, was last seen competing in mid-2022 as part of the now-disbanded HONORIS project, alongside his former Golden Five teammate, Wiktor “TaZ” Wojtas. Since then, he has remained inactive in professional play, with the exception of a showmatch against his future team, FaZe.
FaZe will have a legendary face in Cologne
— Ryan Friend (@RyanAtDust2) July 14, 2023
While it is yet to be confirmed whether NEO's addition is a permanent appointment or a short-term solution for IEM Cologne following RobbaN's departure, insiders have suggested that FaZe Clan has plans to work with NEO beyond the upcoming tournament. He previously underwent a trial period with FaZe as a potential replacement for Finn “karrigan” Andersen in 2019, even representing the team at the StarLadder Berlin Major that year.
The Legend of NEO
With an unparalleled 23 years of experience in competitive Counter-Strike, NEO stands as one of the most accomplished players in the game's history. Notably, he was a key member of the legendary Polish Golden Five lineup, which achieved tremendous success, including multiple WCG titles, ESWC championships, and IEM World Championship victories. In the realm of CS:GO, he made a significant impact as part of the renowned Virtus.pro roster, claiming notable triumphs at events such as EMS Katowice 2014, ELEAGUE Season 1, and DreamHack Masters Las Vegas 2017.
Although NEO's transition to coaching marks a new chapter in his illustrious career, his wealth of experience as a player and extensive knowledge of the game are expected to have a profound impact on FaZe Clan's performance at IEM Cologne 2023. Despite this being his coaching debut, his tactical acumen and strategic prowess make him a valuable asset for the team.
RobbaN's decision to step down as FaZe Clan's coach brings an end to his second tenure with the organization, which began in early 2021. Throughout his coaching career, RobbaN played a crucial role in guiding FaZe to several notable achievements, including championship victories at EPICENTER 2018 and ESL One: Belo Horizonte 2018.
After many years of coaching, I’ve decided it’s time to move on to the next challenge. This decision hasn’t been easy to make but, in the end, I feel this is the right way to go. I’m very proud of all the players I have coached during my time and all the trophies that we have…
— Robert Dahlström (@RobbaN) July 13, 2023
As FaZe Clan prepares for IEM Cologne, the addition of NEO injects a fresh perspective and a wealth of knowledge into the team. The players of FaZe will undoubtedly benefit from his guidance and mentorship as they strive for success in the highly competitive landscape of CS:GO.
Credit: Dreamhack, CS:GO, Virtus.Pro
With NEO now at the helm as coach, the FaZe Clan community eagerly anticipates the team's performance under his guidance. As they embark on their journey at IEM Cologne, fans hope that His presence will revitalize the team and propel them to new heights. The tournament will serve as a platform for him to showcase his coaching prowess and solidify his legacy as both a legendary player and a respected coach in the realm of Counter-Strike.
With NEO’s addition, FaZe’s roster now consists:
- Håvard “rain” Nygaard
- Helvijs “broky” Saukants
- Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken
- Finn “karrigan” Andersen
- Robin “ropz” Kool
- Filip “NEO” Kubski (Coach)