After multiple rumors over the past week, MIBR has announced that analyst and former Counter Strike player Janko “YNk” Paunovic is their new head coach.
https://twitter.com/mibr/status/1024716879066267649
YNk was a player for Team iNation and GamePub during the early years of the CS:GO scene. He would then become an analyst for four years, casting multiple big Counter Strike events, including six Majors. Janko has been one of the most knowledgable voices on the analyst desks at multiple events. He has been on the talent cast for almost every organizer, including DreamHack, ELEAGUE, FACEIT, StarLadder and PGL. He will be replacing Ricardo “dead” Sinigaglia as head coach. Dead has been coaching the MIBR squad since 2016, when they were still under the SK Gaming banner.
Rumors Swirling
This news comes after the MIBR official Twitter account would post a video of the Brazilian soccer teams coach Adenor Leonardo Bacchi running and falling on the pitch. They would also have the caption, “Incoming…”. This sent Counter Strike followers into a whirl, with many people trying to figure out who could be the new coach. However, many fans were clearly confused when MIBR would announce YNk’s addition. YNk would post a statement on his Instagram:
I’m incredibly excited to be a part of MIBR as their new coach! I have a lot of respect for the organisation and the way they do things. The opportunity to work with some of the best players this game has ever seen is something I couldn’t pass on. I’m looking forward to this new challenge and to getting this team back to where it belongs, the #1 spot in the world! #SomosMIBR
Many people also point out that the lineup additions, from the recent pick-up of Cloud9’s former in-game leader Tarik to the acquisition of YNk, have been quite unusual.
A Challenge On The Horizon for Coach YNk’s MIBR
Now, the lineup for MIBR is as follows:
- Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo
- Fernando “fer” Alvarenga
- Marcelo “coldzera” David
- Jacky “Stewie2K” Yip
- Tarik “tarik” Celik
- Janko “YNk” Paunovic as Coach
MIBR has a few events coming up very soon, which will be a good test for YNk as coach. These include the ZOTAC Cup Masters, a $300,000 tournament in Hong Kong on August 24-26, and of course the DreamHack Masters Stockholm on August 29 in Sweden. Of course, we have to mention the upcoming FACEIT London Major in September, which will be the biggest challenge for not only YNk, but also the rest of the new-look MIBR roster.
If we look at MIBR’s past performances at premier tournaments, they have had many disappointing finishes. For example, the team would take a underwhelming eighth place at ESL One Cologne after losing to hometown favorites BIG Clan. They would also fail at the most recent ELEAGUE CS:GO Premier. MIBR would place fifth after losing to Team Liquid twice, once in the first round and another in the deciding match. We will have to see whether or not YNk’s presence on stage will help the team find their form, and a result, more success in the future.
One thing is for certain. We will definitely miss having YNk on the analyst desk in the future. We also wish him the best of luck in his newest endeavor!
What do you think of MIBR acquiring YNk as head coach? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! If you want more Counter Strike content, check us out here!
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