The CS2 Inner Circle organization has announced a change in its coaching staff. As part of a long-term vision for the team’s development, the decision was made to temporarily remove Serhij “LMBT” Bezhanov from his position as head coach. In the official statement, the organization emphasized that the coach is open to new opportunities and expressed gratitude for his contribution to building the team.
What Happened
LMBT is no longer serving as the coach of CS2 Inner Circle. While the organization did not disclose specific reasons behind the decision, it cited strategic planning and long-term goals as the foundation for the change. Lopancev is now a free agent and open to new career opportunities.
It is worth recalling that in September 2020, LMBT received a 7.5-month ban from all ESIC-sanctioned events due to suspicions of using the “coach bug” during his time with HellRaisers and forZe. However, just three weeks later, on October 15, 2020, following an appeal, all charges were dropped.
LMBT’s Coaching Success
Serhij “LMBT” Bezhanov is one of the most experienced coaches on the Counter-Strike scene. His peak period came during 2017–2018, when he led the European mousesports roster. Under his leadership, the team secured several titles, including:
- ESG Tour Mykonos 2017
- Esports Championship Series Season 4 – Finals
- StarLadder & i-League StarSeries Season 4
- V4 Future Sports Festival – Budapest 2018
- ESL One: Belo Horizonte 2018
- ESL One: New York 2018
In 2023, LMBT also found success with the Ukrainian organization Monte, leading them to victory at ESL Challenger at DreamHack Winter 2023.
Given his extensive experience and coaching achievements, his next move on the professional scene is attracting interest from both teams and fans.
What’s Next?
Although the departure from Inner Circle came as a surprise to some in the community, LMBT’s career is unlikely to end here. His experience, reputation, and ability to build competitive rosters from scratch make him a valuable asset for any team. With many active projects on the CS2 scene, new opportunities may arise for the coach in the near future.
