T1 CEO confirms Gumayusi's return for LCK Spring after lineup shakeup
The decision follows a disappointing performance in the LCK Cup, where the reigning world champions finished in sixth place — far below expectations after securing back-to-back Worlds titles.
The team's abrupt roster changes and lack of communication sparked criticism from fans and cast uncertainty over T1's direction heading into the new season.
In a post on X, T1 CEO Joe Marsh clarified the situation, stating that the choice to bench Gumayusi in favor of rookie Sin "Smash" Geum-jae was made by the coaching staff, who wanted to evaluate the rookie in a competitive setting.
Smash's strong showing during the tournament earned him the starting position throughout the LCK Cup, where he played 15 matches, including the elimination loss to Hanwha Life Esports. In contrast, Gumayusi featured in just five matches.
Hanwha Life Esports went on to dominate the tournament, winning both the LCK Cup and First Stand 2025 without losing a single series.
According to data from Oracle's Elixir, Smash posted a KDA of 7.5—the second-highest among all ADCs in the tournament, behind only Kim 'Aiming' Ha-ram. Despite Smash's impressive stats, Marsh confirmed that Gumayusi will reclaim the starting role for the upcoming Spring Split, though both players will continue to compete for the spot in practice.
The final call will rest with the coaching staff and be based on ongoing performance.
Marsh also revealed that he personally asked the coaching staff to give Gumayusi a chance to prove himself again, expressing full confidence in his ability to reclaim his reputation as the best bot laner in the world.
Initially, T1 had aimed to retain its full Worlds-winning roster for 2025. However, the departure of top laner Choi "Zeus" Woo-je to Hanwha Life forced the organization to sign Choi "Doran" Hyeon-joon as a replacement.
Gumayusi's temporary removal from the lineup only deepened fan concerns, particularly over the decision to field a rookie in such a high-pressure role.
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