Astralis parts ways with Coach Casle
In a strategic move to elevate their esports performance, Astralis has bid farewell to head coach Peter "casle" Ardenskjold.
The 37-year-old, who initially joined the organization in August 2022 to coach the academy squad, Astralis Talent, took the reins of the main team in October 2022 . Despite a commendable semi-final run at IEM Cologne 2023, Astralis faced challenges on the global stage during casle's tenure.
A New Chapter Unfolds
The conclusion of the season sees Astralis sporting a revamped roster with the controversial signings of Martin "stavn" Lund and Jakob "jabbi" Nygaard, formerly of Heroic.
The nature of the transfer has left a bad taste in the mouths of CS fans all over the world. Given their track record with Heroic, and their relationship with then IGL and face of Heroic, Casper "cadiaN" Møller, the “backstabbing” move came as a surprise to all.
The reason for their surprising move still remains known only to the players, but it is stated that Heroic received close to $2 million USD for the troubles caused by them. The duo made their debut at BetBoom Dacha, where Astralis finished last.
Astralis bolsters CS2 roster with star signings "jabbi" and "stavn".Image Source: Astralis
Astralis Sports Director Kasper Straube emphasized the organization's commitment to constant evolution, stating,
"The demands here are high, and we are constantly evolving both as a team and organization.”
Reflecting on the fall season, Straube outlined the need for a coaching profile with different skills than casle's, paving the way for a coaching change in preparation for 2024.
In Search of the Right Leader
As Astralis embarks on the quest for a new head coach, they have not disclosed a successor yet. However, insiders suggest that Richard "Xizt" Landström is a strong contender for the role. Xizt previously collaborated with Straube, stavn, and jabbi during their stint with Heroic.
The Swedish coach’s experience and familiarity with key team members position him as a prime candidate.
Astralis affirmed, "The new coach will be announced once found," indicating a meticulous selection process to secure the right fit. The organization enters 2024 with confidence, armed with a formidable roster and a commitment to competing at the highest level.
Current Astralis Roster:
Astralis currently fields a completely Danish roster:
- Nicolai "device" Reedtz
- Martin "stavn" Lund
- Benjamin "blameF" Bremer
- Jakob "jabbi" Nygaard
- Victor "Staehr" Staehr
Johannes "b0RUP" Borup and Christian "Buzz" Andersen are currently benched.
Closing Thoughts
As the esports powerhouse looks to the future, Astralis bids farewell to casle and anticipates a fresh coaching perspective for the challenges that lie ahead. The upcoming announcement of the new head coach will undoubtedly shape Astralis' journey in the competitive landscape.
Stay tuned as the Danish organization continues its pursuit of excellence in the dynamic world of Counter Strike.
Featured Image Source: Astralis.gg
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