Coach KkOma Closes T1 Drama: Gumayusi – Smash Still Facing Major Setbacks
On the evening of April 25 (Vietnam time), T1 achieved a crucial victory against Dplus KIA. Not only did they restore their morale, but this victory also helped T1 maintain a secure spot in the competitive group for the MSI 2025 event. More importantly, Gumayusi has returned and delivered a commendable performance. However, the most notable point is that after the match, Coach KkOma confirmed that Gumayusi will be the sole AD Carry for the remainder of this year’s summer split.
However, Coach KkOma’s attitude has not entirely satisfied the League of Legends community. This drama has dragged on for too long, leaving T1 in a state of uncertainty, with both Gumayusi and Smash being labeled as the “scapegoats.” Since the victory against DRX at the LCK Cup 2025 until their loss against Gen.G, the AD Carry’s performance has been alarmingly low. T1 has only participated in 4 official matches in the last two cups, a number that is too few compared to any professional League of Legends team, not to mention the top-tier AD Carries like Gumayusi.
Furthermore, Gumayusi has faced immense criticism from the anti-fan community, particularly the T1Gall faction. Even on the day of Faker’s anniversary, this group did not “hold back,” even going as far as to stage 9 trucks in protest against both SK and T1, targeting CEO Joe Marsh and Gumayusi.
Regarding Smash, it can be said that the mentality of this rookie has been significantly affected. Not only has he been replaced, but his performance has been under scrutiny as well, with many criticizing him for “daring” to replace Gumayusi. Of course, all of this is a mistake from the coaching staff. However, Smash’s impact on the team is also a factor that cannot be overlooked.
And the remaining three players also experienced considerable setbacks. Doran is still a rookie and has struggled to adapt to a constantly changing environment. The likes of Oner, Faker, and Keria also had to reconsider their familiar playstyles as T1 transitioned to the “best of the best” style. T1’s results at the LCK Cup 2025 and the 2025 Regular Season currently reflect this team’s disconnection.
T1 Needs to “Run a Marathon” to Recover from Their Current Low Point
Despite the team’s disbandment, T1’s upcoming journey will not be easy. After a long period of being scrutinized by external influences, it is now essential for the team to not only regain their former glory but also to erase any lingering doubts.
