Following a disastrous Spring Split, which was marked by numerous departures, the CEOs of Team Heretics had previously announced that they planned to make changes to their roster in order to improve their results. The first piece of their puzzle has finally been announced: Erlend "Nukeduck" Holm, a former LEC player and coach for 100Thieves and FlyQuest, is joining the Spanish team as the Head Coach for the remainder of the season.
The announcement was made through Team Heretics’ social media accounts, confirming weeks of speculation surrounding the organisation’s future direction. Known for his long-lasting career as a professional player in Europe, Nukeduck built his reputation in teams such as Astralis, Vitality and Excel before transitioning into coaching after retiring from professional play.
Although his coaching experience remains relatively recent, the Norwegian has already worked in North America with both 100 Thieves and FlyQuest, two organisations competing in the LCS. He will replace Jonas “Hidon” Vraa, who had occupied the Head Coach position until now. The decision comes after a rough Spring Split for Team Heretics, during which the Danish coach repeatedly took responsibility for the team’s collapse in interviews and public statements.
Nukeduck will also reunite with Alfonso “Mithy” Aguirre Rodríguez within the Team Heretics staff. The two previously worked together during their time at FlyQuest, where they enjoyed considerable success and won multiple titles together, went to Worlds two times and even pushed Gen.G to game five.
For now, Team Heretics have not clarified Hidon’s future within the organisation. It remains unknown whether he has been completely removed from the project or if he will continue in another role heading into the Summer Split. However, according to Sheep Esports, his assistant coach Emre "Arkhe" Akpınarlı has already been removed from the staff as part of the organisation’s ongoing rebuild.
Team Heretics are expected to make another major change ahead of the Summer Split. The organisation would plan to replace its current ADC Ice by Hype, who reunites with Way to reform Misa Esports' former botlane duo in the TCL. The move further highlights the team’s desire to reshape its roster and begin a new chapter before the second half of the season.
With the Summer Split approaching, the Spanish organisation now enters a crucial phase of its year. The arrival of Nukeduck may only be the first step in a broader rebuild, but it already signals Team Heretics’ ambition to reset its project and return to contention in the LEC.
