iksou parts ways with Winstrike; pipsoN takes over as head coach

Winstrike have announced changes in their coaching staff, as former tactical coach Daniil "⁠pipsoN⁠" Mescheryakov has taken Dmitry "⁠iksou⁠" Mikhaylichenko's place as the team's head coach.

According to the announcement, the squad and iksou came to a mutual decision to part ways, with their long-time coach stating that he needs "a new challenge" going forward, ending his time with the team dating back to late 2017, when the core of him, Aurimas "⁠Kvik⁠" Kvakšys, and Kirill "⁠Boombl4⁠" Mikhailov were part of Quantum Bellator Fire.

pipsoN had been hired late last year as the team's tactical coach, assisting iksou with adding more structure to the team and changing their training process, which most notably helped the squad qualify for the IEM Katowice Major, where the team went 2-3 in the New Challengers Stage last month.

The 24-year-old has now taken over iksou's duties as the head coach, with his official debut in the role coming on March 19 in LOOT.BET Season 1's consolidation final, where Winstrike are set to face NoChance.

"Coaching is like a drug for me, and to get used to what you’re doing is the worst. At one moment I realized I’m losing more than I’m getting and it makes influence on my job. I need a new challenge," iksou said in a statement.

I'd like to thank Winstrike for all we’ve done together. I’ve had a great time. Special thanks to the team, who forgave all my mistakes and gave me a chance to grow. pipsoN continues to work with the team. He is young and aspiring. I hope the team will get to the top under his command and all these decisions are right."

Winstrike now have:

Kirill "⁠Boombl4⁠" Mikhailov
Aurimas "⁠Kvik⁠" Kvakšys
Georgi "⁠WorldEdit⁠" Yaskin
Jan "⁠wayLander⁠" Rahkonen
David "⁠n0rb3r7⁠" Danielyan

Daniil "⁠pipsoN⁠" Mescheryakov (coach)