FunPlus Phoenix Release VALORANT Coach Johnta

Following their failure to reach the VALORANT Champions Tour Masters Reykjavik, FunPlus Phoenix has decided to make its first roster change, coming with the release of head coach Ivan “Johnta” Shevtsov. The Chinese organization broke the news to fans on Tuesday.

33-year-old Johnta had been with FunPlus Phoenix since December, with the Ukrainian coach having helped the team in winning the VALORANT Champions Tour Europe Stage 1: Challengers One, beating Guild Esports in the process in April. However, with FPX having performed poorly at the VCT 2021 EMEA Stage Two Challengers Finals, the org ultimately decided to make a change.

Why FPX Parted Ways with Johnta

FPX missed out on a place at the VCT Masters Reyjavik due to their showing at the Stage Two Finals. With his role with the team having been his first in the VALORANT scene, perhaps his relative lack of experience was his downfall. The Ukrainian had previously worked with FunPlus Phoenix in-game leader Kirill “ANGE1” Karasiow, with the duo having been part of the HellRaisers CS:GO team back in 2016.

Announcing the news on their official Twitter page, FunPlus Phoenix wrote: “Thank you for your leadership and dedication to FPX. We would like to wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.”

However, Johnta has already spoken of his disappointment at being let go, saying that his release was “pretty shocking”. He added to this by releasing the following statement: “I feel that the communication could have been better, and I am sorry that the board did not recognize the full potential of my effort and contribution to the team. But we had a bad tournament, the needed result was not achieved and they are in right to make any decisions. I think the team had good progress under my leadership and I feel the team was glad to work with me. Anyway, it is what it is. I don’t have any negative vibes about it.”

What the Future Holds for Johnta & FPX

Johnta now becomes a free agent, however he is believed to be hoping to find a new VAORANT team, rather than returning to CS:GO. FunPlus Phoenix have seemingly replaced Johnta with Erik “d00mbr0s” Sandgren, however the former analyst’s new role has yet to be confirmed.