NAVI’s carry on the new coach: "In drafts we come to the best options together"

Natus Vincere carry Taras gotthejuice Lynnikov, in an interview with Ukrainian content creator Andrii Ghostik Kadyk, shared his impressions of The International 2025, explained the reasons behind the coaching change, and talked about the current atmosphere within the team.

After being eliminated from the main tournament of the year, the team had an honest discussion. According to the player, the need for a coaching change had been building long before TI.

At TI we had a talk. The management was there as well, and we discussed everything. We decided to stay together and look for a new coach. To be honest, I wanted to push for a replacement four months earlier. I think we needed an additional coach at TI because we were missing a third person who could give input on drafts

Taras also pointed out that a series of four bootcamps within three months proved too exhausting for the roster. In his words, constant traveling and the tight preparation schedule led to fatigue, and perhaps a more effective option would have been practicing from home, where players could recover their energy.

At the same time, NAVI is satisfied with the work of the new coach. According to Lynnikov, the coach has taken over a significant part of the match preparation and has proven himself as an experienced analyst.

He handles preparation very well. He’s experienced, he can point out what opponents like or dislike playing. In drafts, we come to the best options together. I like everything

The player also admitted that he has been working with a team psychologist for two years and considers it an important part of his professional training.

She helps a lot. When she was added to the team, it was the management’s initiative, but personally I’ve been working with her for two years. It’s important for me

For reference, Natus Vincere finished 14th at The International 2025. Currently, the team is participating in closed qualifiers for several major tournaments of the new season and has already secured spots at DreamLeague Season 27 and BLAST SLAM IV.

Earlier, CyberScore.live reported that Natus Vincere had introduced their new coach.