FNATIC crashies exit: Desmo and Szed also depart

FNATIC crashies news: the European organisation has parted ways with Austin "crashies" Roberts after two years. Assistant coach Desmo and performance coach Szed also left a day earlier, leaving FNATIC with just three players.

FNATIC announced the move on X on November 4 with a farewell video. It is the latest step in a full rebuild after a 2026 season in which the team failed to reach a single international event.

Who has left FNATIC alongside crashies?

The changes have come quickly over the past two weeks. Based on reporting from VLR.gg and Inven Global:

Long-time in-game leader Jake "Boaster" Howlett had already been allowed to explore other options. In its goodbye to Desmo, FNATIC described the past year as "turbulent and unpredictable".

Who is left on the roster?

• Kirill "Cloud" Nehozhin
• Kajetan "kaajak" Haremski
• Emir "Alfajer" Ali Beder

As a VCT partner team, FNATIC has already secured a place at the 2027 EMEA Kickoff in Berlin. The club has not said who will replace crashies or the departed staff, so at least two player spots and a full coaching setup are still open.

What did crashies achieve at FNATIC?

crashies joined before the 2025 season as the replacement for Leo and fitted in right away. FNATIC finished top six at Kickoff, then added Szed before Stage 1 and went on to lift the 2025 EMEA Stage 1 trophy.

Internationally, the run was even more impressive. FNATIC reached the grand finals of Masters Toronto, the Esports World Cup and Champions Paris in 2025. They lost all three, falling 3-1 to Paper Rex in Toronto and 3-2 to NRG in Paris, so one of the club's best seasons ended without an international title.

In his farewell, crashies called FNATIC "a second home" where he grew "not only as a player, but as a person", and thanked fans for backing him through good days and bad. FNATIC replied: "You'll always have family here."

Why was 2026 so hard for FNATIC?

The year began with Desmo joining as assistant coach after time with LEVIATÁN in the Americas league. He even stood in for Veqaj in a Stage 1 match against GIANTX. Despite repeated changes, FNATIC never made an international event, and the season ended with a Stage 2 EMEA Play-Ins loss to Joblife.

What else is happening in the EMEA offseason?

FNATIC are far from the only team reshuffling. According to VLR.gg's latest headlines, GIANTX have parted ways with ara, Flickless and westside, Força Barça have signed Pa1ze, MONSTEERR, Proxh and purp0, and G2 Esports have said goodbye to BABYBAY.

That busy market cuts both ways for FNATIC. Plenty of players are available, but competition for the best of them is fierce. The club needs a full lineup and coaching staff before Kickoff in Berlin, and the group it builds around Cloud, kaajak and Alfajer will decide whether 2027 finally brings the international trophy that slipped away in 2025.

When it released ENGH, the club said it was making changes with the 2027 season in mind. The offseason market is busy elsewhere too: see Sentinels signing brawk and T1 parting with Meteor and Munchkin. For FNATIC's earlier move, read about Valyn leaving G2 for FNATIC.

Frequently asked questions

Why did crashies leave FNATIC?

Neither side gave a reason. FNATIC missed every international event in 2026 and is rebuilding its roster ahead of the 2027 season.

Who is left on FNATIC's VALORANT roster?

Only three players remain: Cloud, kaajak and Alfajer. FNATIC still needs to fill its lineup and coaching staff for 2027.

Where will crashies play next?

That is not known yet. Neither FNATIC nor crashies said where he will play next.

Sources

• VLR.gg: crashies, Desmo, Szed depart FNATIC
• Inven Global: crashies leaves FNATIC after two years