Movistar KOI reportedly benching VALORANT head coach, assistant coach after poor Stage 1 performance

After missing the VCT 2025 - EMEA Stage 1 playoffs in disappointing fashion, Movistar KOI is reportedly making some sweeping changes to its VALORANT division. According to Sheep Esports' Alejandro Gomis, the team will be benching head coach Harry "Gorilla" Mepham and assistant coach Laike "temoc" Lewis. It is a decision that is purely performance-based, since KOI failed to produce any meaningful results this split, and management is understandably looking for a solution.

Reports have already surfaced around possible replacements for Gorilla, along with a possible roster change in the works with Chris "Elmapuddy" Tebbit and Nathan "nataNk" Bocqueho being linked to the team. These additions could help give the roster a kick into form for Stage 2, especially when looking at the performance on the team over the last few weeks.

KOI have yet to win a single map over the course of the month, and have only had double digit round wins in two of their series. They've even lost a map vs. Karmine Corp 13-2, which was their worst performance of the year so far. None of KOI's players have a KD over one, while Grzegorz "grubinho" Ryczko currently has the lowest average combat score in the league at 136 and the lowest average damage per round.

By adding an experienced coach like Elmapuddy, who is coming off a stint with Fnatic, KOI should be able to break out of the rut by introducing a new perspective to the game. Elmapuddy was replaced after the team suffered an early exit at the VCT 2025 - EMEA Kickoff, but he should be eager to prove himself once more with by helping a roster that has hit rock bottom.

Meanwhile, nataNk will be making his return to EMEA after spending some time in America with Leviatán. He was unfortunately benched at the end of VCT 2025 - Americas Kickoff, but similarly to Elmapuddy, the 26-year-old Frenchman will be looking to prove himself in his home region.