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Astralis has made a strategic move to enhance their esports performance by parting ways with Counter-Strike head coach Peter “casle” Ardenskjold.
Initially joining the organization in August 2022 to coach the academy squad, Astralis Talent, the 37-year-old took over the main team in October 2022.
Despite a commendable semi-final run at IEM Cologne 2023, challenges on the global stage led to Astralis facing a need for change.
The organization’s revamped roster now includes controversial signings Martin “stavn” Lund and Jakob “jabbi” Nygaard, formerly of Heroic.
This move has left a sour taste among CS fans worldwide, especially considering Astralis’ history with Heroic, including their relationship with Casper “cadiaN” Møller, Heroic’s former IGL.
The undisclosed reasons for these surprising transfers are known only to the players, but reports suggest Heroic received close to $2 million USD in compensation.
The debut of stavn and jabbi at BetBoom Dacha resulted in Astralis finishing last alongside GamerLegion.
Looking back on the fall season, Astralis Sports Director Kasper Straube emphasized the need for a coaching profile with different skills than casle’s, paving the way for a coaching change in preparation for 2024.
While Astralis has not revealed a successor, insiders point to Richard “Xizt” Landström, who previously collaborated with Straube, stavn, and jabbi during their time at Heroic.
The Swedish coach’s experience and familiarity with key team members make him a strong contender for the role.
Astralis enters 2024 with confidence and a formidable roster, the upcoming announcement of the new head coach will undoubtedly shape their journey in the competitive esports landscape.
Today, we say farewell and express our gratitude to @casleCSGO, who will no longer operate as head coach of our main team.
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— Astralis Counter-Strike (@AstralisCS) December 20, 2023
