Coach Kim Resigns From T1 After Missing Worlds 2020

T1 coach Kim Jeong-soo has resigned from T1 after the results of the Worlds Regional Qualifiers. 

According to T1, the decision was mutual and the organization respects Kim’s decision. The announcement was anticipated by many fans after a lackluster split where T1 did not manage to qualify for the 2020 World Championship. 

Dear fans,Following the results of the Worlds Qualifiers, Jung Su “KIM” Kim has decided to resign. T1 respects his decision and has parted ways under a mutual agreement. We thank Kim for his commitment to the team this year and wish him the best in his future endeavors. pic.twitter.com/21NMrG9jYd

— T1 LoL (@T1LoL) September 13, 2020

A few days prior to the official announcement, Sports Seoul reported that Kim would be resigning, but it wasn’t completely settled between the two parties yet. According to Sports Seoul, T1 said that “we can’t discuss this officially yet”, followed up by a comment from Kim who seemed frustrated that the resigning had been leaked. 

“I’m in Busan as the team gave me a vacation,” Kim said to Sports Seoul. “I’m very frustrated that this came up. There hasn’t been anything discussed with the team yet,”

Now that it’s official, T1 will be looking to get a new coach before the 2021 season kicks off with the spring split. 

Coach Kim didn’t manage to take T1 to LoL Worlds 2020 

With Kim, T1 managed to win the 2020 LCK Spring Split by beating Gen.G 3-0 in the final, but the ultimate goal of making Worlds didn’t pan out. T1 had a shaky regular split in the summer, followed up by a poor performance in the playoffs, losing to Afreeca Freecs in the first round.

The team had one last chance to make Worlds through the Regional Finals, but fell short against Gen.G in the deciding match. The T1 organization has the most Worlds trophies with a total of three, so missing out this year is a big hit for the team.  

Kim had an impressive resume prior to joining T1 in November last year, qualifying for four consecutive World Championships. He came off a successful year with DAMWON Gaming, who managed to qualify for Worlds in its first season LCK season. DAMWON managed to reach the quarterfinals, before losing to G2 Esports who went on to play in the finals. 

Kim has also coached Invictus Gaming in 2018, which became the first LPL team to win a championship in Worlds.  

Kim has been coaching in the LCK, LPL, and LCS, so it will be interesting to see where he ends up next season.