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YoungBuck ahead of LEC Spring Split: Why I left Fnatic and joined Excel
The former Fnatic coach opens up about why he left the European giants and opted for the LEC's underdogs.
The 2019 League of Legends World Championship ended less than a week ago but teams around the world are already looking ahead to next year for a shot at the Summoner’s Cup.
The offseason is usually dominated by transfer rumours and free agents but one of the biggest stories so far is the departure of Fnatic’s coach Joey ‘YoungBuck’ Steltenpool who promptly joined Excel Esports as their new head coach – a decision that shocked and perplexed many LEC fans.
There were already a lot of speculations of where YoungBuck, who was part of the team that took Fnatic to the finals of Worlds last year, would end up after announcing his departure. But very few expected him to go to a team who finished bottom-side in the LEC for two splits in a row.
YoungBuck is looking forward to the challenges Excel will bring
© Excel Esports
YoungBuck explained: “First of all, I wanted to stay in Europe. I did look at North America and LPL because I think they’re interesting regions but I had a preference for Europe.
“Then I had to compare the projects with each other, I know a lot of people that are either active within Excel or had previously worked for Excel - they were all very positive about the organisation. I really liked the prospect of their staff, infrastructure and potential roster.
“In the end, it was just a decision based on a project that seemed really promising and also I liked the challenge of bringing a team from tenth place to playoffs. I know I will find a lot of fulfilment in that job because I feel like the players are going to be hungry and teachable and there is a really high ceiling that can be reached with the team.”
Why YoungBuck left Fnatic
It wasn’t just YoungBuck’s decision to join Excel that came as a surprise, many weren’t quite prepared for his exit from Fnatic either but the 28-year-old admits his happiness is more important than success with Fnatic.
He told us: “Without going too deep into it, it was a year where I didn’t find a lot of fulfilment with my job and the players had some contradicting philosophies whether there should be more effort put into solo queue or team practice. It also caused a lot of issues – there were issues of players not wanting to play with each other. They’re going to make changes that are necessary to build a healthy team atmosphere, at least one that I align with, so that’s why I decided to move on.”
When asked whether it was a personal decision to leave the organisation, YoungBuck confessed that it was “a bit of both”.
YoungBuck admits Fnatic players had issues behind the scenes
© Lol Esports
He said: “I have been contemplating whether I should stick with Fnatic for a few months. I know I’d probably find more happiness in other teams but then again I’m also very ambitious and Fnatic usually does provide a really strong roster, like they did this year. There was so much talent on their roster this year and we were always united on the surface and got together which provided some really good moments.
“Winning feels really good which made the decision really difficult. We’re competitors and we’re usually extremely competitively driven. It would have made it easier if we bombed out of Groups and didn’t make it to the quarter-finals at Worlds – but in the end I know what Fnatic are going to do and I’m not fully aligned with it but I do still think they’ll probably make it to Worlds next year. It’s just that I will find happiness elsewhere and more fulfilment.
“My happiness comes first and I’ve really come to terms with the fact that my happiness is way more important than let’s say, qualifying for Worlds and making it out of Groups but not having fun doing the job or being part of the team.”
Reuniting with Expect
YoungBuck says Expect is one of the best top laners in Europe
© Lol Esports
Despite having never worked with Excel before, YoungBuck will have the luxury of being reunited with his former G2 top laner Ki ‘Expect’ Daehan, someone who he cites as a reason as to why he joined the British side.
He told us: “I’ve always rated him extremely highly. I thought he was the best Western top laner in 2017 so it was really sad to see him not get a team in 2018. He was really strong and he was probably the best performer on my team. I’d personally put him top three in the European top laners and I feel he’s still as good now as he was back then – which is crazy! He was also a really big part as to why I wanted to join Excel over other teams because I had a really good connection with him.”
Ambitions with Excel
Excel have received criticism for some of their performances in the LEC this year after finishing ninth in Spring and last in Summer. The addition of YoungBuck however, will see an imminent improvement to their results and the Dutchman is confident that they will have a shot at some silverware.
He said: “I’d consider it a failure if we don’t contest for a playoff spot next split and if we don’t make it. I think that’s quite doable and reasonable.
“With a lot of the roster shaking up and the way the roster is currently looking like, I feel like making it to Worlds in two years is doable. It’s going to be a big challenge, it won’t be easy but I definitely see the opportunity to make it there. It’s going to be difficult to touch G2 right now but fighting for second or third place is definitely realistic.”
