GuardiaN reportedly returning to Natus Vincere to replace Zeus

Natus Vincere faces a significant transition period as veteran player Danylo “Zeus” Teslenko prepares to conclude his competitive Counter-Strike career. The organization appears to have proactively identified his replacement, demonstrating strategic planning for roster stability during this leadership change.

According to social media intelligence from prominent esports insider Don Haci, Na’Vi management is actively pursuing former team member Ladislav “GuardiaN” Kovács for the vacant position. While Haci maintained professional discretion regarding additional details, this development aligns with circulating rumors about GuardiaN’s potential separation from his current organization, FaZe Clan. Teams often leverage these insider reports to gauge community reaction before official announcements.

Zeus’s retirement marks the end of an era for Na’Vi, with his final competitive appearance scheduled for BLAST Pro Series: Moscow on September 13. This timing creates urgency for roster decisions, as teams typically prefer settling lineups before major tournament cycles begin.

FaZe Clan’s recent competitive struggles precipitated the current roster uncertainty. During the StarLadder Berlin Major’s Legends Stage, the team delivered a disappointing 1-3 record that resulted in early tournament elimination. This performance capped a generally underwhelming summer campaign for a roster that entered the season with substantial championship expectations from both management and fans.

Observant community members noticed concerning signs when FaZe began practice sessions without GuardiaN and Filip “NEO” Kubski. These observations were subsequently validated by reports indicating the organization’s interest in signing Marcelo “coldzera” David and Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen as potential replacements. Teams often test roster configurations during practice before making official changes.

For players considering similar team composition changes, understanding that poor tournament performances frequently trigger organizational reevaluations of player roles and team chemistry.

GuardiaN represents a qualified tactical replacement given his extensive experience with Na’Vi’s system. He played a crucial role in establishing the organization’s competitive presence in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive from 2013 through 2017. Following his Na’Vi tenure, he continued demonstrating elite-level performance with FaZe Clan, contributing significantly to tournament victories at EPICENTER 2018 and ELEAGUE CS:GO Premier 2017.

GuardiaN and s1mple Drama: Historical Context and Impact

GuardiaN’s initial departure from Natus Vincere in 2017 occurred under contentious circumstances that created lasting organizational challenges. According to multiple reports, the Slovakian AWPer experienced significant disagreements with in-game leader Denis “seized” Kostin and newly acquired star player Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev.

The situation escalated to the point where management removed GuardiaN from the active roster, replacing him with Zeus who was fresh from winning the PGL Kraków Major with Gambit Esports. Understanding team dynamics and conflict resolution becomes essential for organizations managing high-profile roster changes.

Following his release, GuardiaN and s1mple engaged in a very public dispute across multiple platforms. s1mple criticized his former teammate extensively on both Reddit and Twitch, suggesting GuardiaN had betrayed team trust during critical moments. GuardiaN countered these allegations through Twitter posts indicating he perceived s1mple as demonstrating toxic teammate behaviors that undermined team cohesion.

s1mple currently occupies an unquestioned position as Natus Vincere’s franchise player and primary star. If GuardiaN does return to the organization, both players must rapidly address their historical differences and establish functional working relationships. Professional teams often employ sports psychologists or team mediators to facilitate these reconciliations, especially when past conflicts were publicly documented.

The timing creates additional pressure, with Zeus’s formal retirement occurring in less than one week. Organizations typically prefer resolving roster uncertainties before major tournament cycles to maximize practice efficiency. For players working on individual skill development during roster transitions, maintaining focus on fundamental mechanics proves crucial for competitive readiness.

Successful roster integrations require clear role definitions, open communication channels, and mutual respect between all team members. Teams that successfully navigate these transitions often implement structured team-building exercises and establish clear conflict resolution protocols to prevent historical issues from resurfacing.

No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » GuardiaN reportedly returning to Natus Vincere to replace Zeus Analyzing GuardiaN's potential return to Na'Vi and the team dynamics with s1mple that could impact roster changes