Team Liquid drops coach Cain ahead of LCS free agency start date

Team Liquid has parted ways with coach Jang "Cain" Nu-ri, the organization announced on Twitter.

Cain won’t be part of Team Liquid in 2021, the head coach is parting ways with the organization. Cain joined Team Liquid in 2017 and is leaving after three years and four LCS titles. Cain, alongside assistant coach Kang "Dodo" Jun-hyeok, were key to the organizations’ success in 2018 and 2019. With Cain as a coach, Team Liquid won four LCS titles, made it to Worlds three years in a row, and made it to finals in the 2019 Mid-Season Invitational. 

Ahead of the 2020 season, Cain stepped down and assumed the role of strategic coach, making room for Joshua "Jatt" Leesman who assumed the role. Under the new leadership, Team Liquid still performed at a decent level and qualified for the 2020 World Championship. At Worlds, Liquid fell short and failed to make it out of groups.

The results in 2020 are forcing Liquid’s hand and the team is looking for a different approach in 2021. Cain is the first member of the coaching staff to leave the team. It’s unclear if Jatt and Dodo will stay with the organization.

Team Liquid will make big changes in LCS free agency

The departure of Cain is the first change for Team Liquid, but it definitely won’t be the last. Top laner Jung "Impact" Eon-yeong is rumored to be leaving the team on November 16 when LCS free agency starts. Rumors suggest he is headed to Team SoloMid, but that is not guaranteed to be the case.

Another player that might be leaving Team Liquid is jungler Mads "Broxah" Brock-Pedersen, whose contract ends this month. Liquid is yet to announce Broxah's status with the team but there has been discussion that he will join Counter Logic Gaming, an organization that is looking to make a massive upgrade this offseason.

As for the replacement for these players, no information is confirmed yet. Fans will have to wait a few days to know Team Liquid's starting roster for 2021.