As part of a recent episode of HLTV Confirmed, G2 Esports CEO Alban “Stilgar” Dechelotte gave one of the most candid interviews in the organization’s history. His appearance wasn’t just another public relations talk — it was a transparent reflection on past mistakes and a clear message: G2 is entering a new era of reboot and reinvention.
How It All Began: The NiKo & m0NESY Project
Back in 2022–2023, G2 Esports committed to a bold strategy: building a roster around superstar Nikola “NiKo” Kovač and rising prodigy Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov, who had just arrived from NAVI Junior. The idea was simple — combine experience with raw talent and lay a foundation for the future.
To support this vision, the club brought in coach Swani, hired psychologists and analysts, and built a structure around this core. In 2023, G2 even won IEM Katowice, one of the most prestigious tournaments in CS. But after reaching that peak, a slow decline began.
READ MORE: Banks on m0NESY to Falcons: Winner or Loser Move?
“We Tried to Build a Future Around NiKo and m0NESY — and We Failed”
On stream, Dechelotte made a direct admission:
“We tried to build the future around NiKo and m0NESY. And we failed.”
He didn’t deflect blame onto others. Quite the opposite — he took full accountability, stating that the organization failed to create the necessary conditions for this model to succeed.
“We believed it would work, but we ignored the signs for too long that the structure was flawed,” he added.
According to him, it wasn’t just the results that deteriorated — the internal atmosphere within the team also began to unravel. After a string of early exits in 2024 and 2025, it became clear: change was inevitable.
The Turning Point: Transfers and a New Philosophy
In 2025, G2 made the decision to part ways with both of its stars: NiKo joined Falcons, while m0NESY moved to Falcons. The moves came as a shock to fans but were a logical step for the organization.
Instead of banking on superstars, the new focus was on young talent. Symbol of change came with the arrival of a new head coach — TaZ.
Trust Issues: HooXi vs. the Coaching Staff
One of the most revealing parts of the stream was the situation surrounding the coaching change. Dechelotte explained that the shift was initiated by none other than HooXi, the in-game leader, who voiced his loss of trust in the previous coaching staff. Management hesitated at first but eventually supported the call.
“We couldn’t keep ignoring the signal from within. This wasn’t about personalities — it was about philosophy.”
This led to the appointment of CS legend Wiktor “TaZ” Wojtas, who brought fresh energy, structure, and a disciplined approach.
Autopsy of a Collapse: Why the G2 Project Failed
- Role instability – Constant role switches and power struggles hurt team cohesion.
- Coaching weakness – While Swani had the trust of players, he lacked authority in critical moments.
- Star saturation – Too many strong individuals, not enough synergy.
- Crippling expectations – Fan and media pressure only amplified internal tension.
Comparative Context: FaZe and Vitality Also Stumbled
G2 isn’t the first elite team to hit a wall. FaZe faced a similar crisis in 2020–2021 during their rebuild around karrigan. Vitality restructured their core to better support ZywOo. The key difference in those success stories?
A strong coaching spine and trust in the process — something G2 lacked for a long time.
The Future: G2 for the Next Generation
To conclude the stream, Dechelotte laid out his ambitious vision:
“G2 needs to become a next-generation organization. We’re blending esports with culture, sport, and innovation. It’ll be more than just a team.”
The company is already involved in entertainment ventures (like the Kings League), expanding into new titles, and launching youth development academies. The core pillars of this new approach are mental resilience, talent nurturing, and long-term values.
Final Thoughts: Honest, Painful, but Necessary
Dechelotte’s appearance felt more like a state-of-the-union address than a PR stunt. He didn’t sugarcoat the failures or shift the blame. He confronted the truth, explained internal decisions, and charted a new direction. Will it work? Time will tell.
