Things are heating up for the LEC, as Team Vitality has named Hadrien “Duke” Forestier as their new Head Coach for 2020. Starting out as an analyst and shoutcaster, Duke moved on to serve as Splyce’s strategic head coach since 2017. With him transitioning into this new role for Vitality, there will certainly be plenty to look forward to next season.
For those unfamiliar with EU LEC teams, French esports organization Team Vitality started in 2013. Holding several World championships, they’re known to compete within CSGO, Rocket League, and Rainbow Six.
The start of Team Vitality’s League of Legends team
Team Vitality entered the League of Legends pro scene in 2015, gaining respect throughout the years and taking part in the 2018 World Championships. Their former head coach, Jakob “YamatoCannon” Mehdi, was recently permitted to explore other options, leaving the table open for Duke to join the team.
My contract with Splyce ending in a few weeks, I have been allowed to explore my options for next year.
Looking for head coach position
DMs open/[email protected]— Duke (@Duke_Esports) October 31, 2019
Duke originally began his esports career as a shoutcaster for a French web-TV series known as O’Gaming TV. He then joined Paris Saint-Germain eSports as their new head coach from Jan-Oct 2017. Splyce picked him up a month after that, and he has stuck by them since then. He played a part in Splyce’s EUCS 2017 Spring Playoffs as well as the LEC 2019 Summer and Spring playoffs.
Also want to thank the whole Spy/Mad team for those amazing 2 years. This was a very tough decision, I am glad I made good friends there and I hope we will see each other soon
— Duke (@Duke_Esports) December 7, 2019
World Championship 2019
Being a part of Worlds this year made Duke think about his coaching style and decision making. During a Korizon Esports interview with Duke, he shared his thoughts about the LEC shift in meta during the 2019 World Championship.
“When you play more for speed and try hard to commit to really fast play… I think Europe has been innovating on that aspect.”
Team Vitality’s new 2020 roster
The acquisition of Duke follows Team Vitality’s recent rebuilding of their entire roster. Joining the team will be former Vodafone Giants Mid Laner Aljoša “Milica” Kovandžić, AD Carry Markos “Comp” Stamkopoulos, and Team Vitality Academy Jungler Duncan “Skeanz” Marquet. The team also signed assistant coach Louis-Victor “Mephisto” Legendre, who previously worked with Fnatic.
Top – @CabochardLoL
Jungle – @Skeanz_lol
Mid – @MilicaLooL
AD – @Vit_comp
Support – @Jactroll
Team Manager – @leggifant
Assistant Coach – @CoachMephisto
Team Director – @Krepo
Head Coach – @Duke_Esports
*Pending Riot Games approvalIllustrations credits: Paul Lacolley
— Team Vitality (@TeamVitality) December 7, 2019
Lastly, let’s hope for the best for Duke as he enters a new chapter in his League of Legends esports career. Be sure to follow Daily Esports for more news on your favorite teams.
Published: Dec 7, 2019 03:33 pm