An interview with Vandett0, ex-Astralis LEC coach

In an exclusive discussion, former Astralis assistant coach Jonas Erik “Vandett0” Toth Jensen opens up about the circumstances surrounding his departure from the organization’s LEC coaching staff. The interview provides unprecedented insight into internal team dynamics and coaching relationships at the professional level.

WIN.gg: Who made the decision to remove you from the team and why?

Vandett0: The decision was primarily driven by AoD [Head Coach] with support from Kasper [Hvidt, Director of Esports]. Our coaching methodologies and collaborative synergy proved incompatible, creating an unsustainable working environment.

We maintained fundamentally different perspectives across multiple coaching dimensions. These included team management approaches, player utilization strategies, competitive playstyles, practice session priorities, and training methodology implementation. The accumulation of these divergent viewpoints ultimately undermined our professional partnership.

Was it a decision you saw coming then?

The situation presented mixed signals. While I recognized the mounting challenges during January and February, I remained hopeful we could bridge our differences during the break between Winter and Spring splits. However, management determined the required reconciliation effort would be too substantial given the existing synergy deficit.

Throughout my tenure with the squad, I observed how persistent disagreements gradually eroded our working relationship. The organizational assessment concluded that pursuing alternative coaching arrangements represented the most viable path forward.

What are your plans moving forwards?

My journey toward professional League of Legends coaching began in childhood with aspirations of reaching the LEC (formerly EU LCS). What originated as pure passion for the game gradually transformed into an intense professional grind. The initial love for competitive play evolved into a singular focus on achieving career objectives.

I discovered genuine fulfillment in player development, building meaningful mentor relationships, and strategic teaching. However, the emotional connection shifted over time, and when I finally attained my LEC position, the anticipated profound connection and sense of belonging failed to materialize.

Consequently, I’m implementing a strategic pause to comprehensively assess my professional trajectory. This evaluation will determine whether I continue along my current path or explore alternative directions within the industry.

Could “something different” still be within League of Legends or something else entirely?

My commitment remains firmly within the League of Legends ecosystem and broader esports landscape. The specific role and responsibilities may evolve, but my dedication to competitive gaming remains unwavering.

How did it feel to help Astralis earn its best LEC finish so far during your stint?

The achievement generated significant satisfaction, particularly given external projections placing us in the bottom standings. Our internal confidence never wavered despite critical narratives and commentator skepticism.

We maintained strong belief in our competitive capabilities throughout the season. The initial 0-5 start in December created some disappointment, as we believed our early performance potential exceeded those results.

I reflect with immense pride on my contributions to Astralis across both LEC and NLC competitions.

What was your proudest moment during your time with the org?

While numerous memorable experiences stand out, one particularly impactful moment occurred when Oliver “Dajor” Ryppa publicly acknowledged my support during a challenging period following competitive losses. This recognition held profound personal significance and demonstrated the meaningful impact of coach-player relationships.

In your TwitLonger you highlighted Lee “JeongHoon” Jeong-hoon as being “amazing to work with” and the “best player” you have ever coached. Can you give us some insight into your time working with him?

JeongHoon possesses exceptional game knowledge and strategic understanding. While his English communication required development, he demonstrated remarkable improvement, and we dedicated substantial time to language development during December.

Our professional relationship developed significantly through extensive collaboration. I maintain objective perspective when asserting his status as an extraordinary competitor with superior mechanical execution and versatile champion proficiency.

His game intelligence frequently manifested during our discussions, where he would introduce strategic concepts that expanded my own understanding—a clear indicator of elite-level game comprehension.

Consultation with LEC bot lane competitors would likely confirm JeongHoon’s significantly underrated status as one of the league’s premier support players.

Professional coaching transitions often involve complex interpersonal dynamics and philosophical alignment challenges. Successful coaching partnerships typically require shared strategic vision, complementary methodology approaches, and aligned player development philosophies. Common pitfalls include insufficient communication protocols, divergent practice priorities, and mismatched competitive approaches.

For aspiring coaches targeting LEC positions, developing flexible coaching styles and strong collaborative capabilities proves essential. The evolution from passion-driven gaming to professional coaching demands careful consideration of personal fulfillment factors alongside career advancement objectives.

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