GamerLegion Appoints Adrian “imd” Pieper as Full-Time Head Coach
GamerLegion Appoints Adrian “imd” Pieper as Full-Time Head Coach
GamerLegion has confirmed that Adrian “imd” Pieper has been promoted to head coach on a permanent basis, ending his interim leadership of the organization’s Counter-Strike 2 roster. The move comes as long-time coach Ashley “ash” Battye steps away from his coaching duties and explores opportunities outside of GamerLegion after more than five years with the organization.
Alongside imd, former HONORIS and 500 coach Denis “Grashog” Hristov has joined GamerLegion as assistant coach, bolstering the staff ahead of upcoming competitive commitments, including IEM Kraków 2026 Stage 1.
Background: imd’s Role and Promotion
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Adrian “imd” Pieper, a 29-year-old Polish coach, had been serving as the team’s interim coach after ash stepped back from coaching duties late last year.
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His official appointment now makes imd the primary tactical leader and coach of GamerLegion’s CS2 roster.
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Prior to this promotion, imd had been assisting ash and working closely with the team since the coaching transition began.
According to team entries on HLTV.org and Liquipedia, imd’s profile lists him as part of GamerLegion’s technical lineup, indicating the organization’s confidence in his capabilities in the strategic leadership role.
Context: ash’s Departure and Historical Impact
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British coach Ashley “ash” Battye had been the head coach and a central figure at GamerLegion since 2020, widely credited with raising the team to consistent upper-tier status on the European scene.
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Recently, ash confirmed on HLTV Confirmed that the organization has agreed to let him seek new opportunities outside GamerLegion, effectively ending one of the longest coaching tenures in the team’s history.
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His departure follows a period in which he temporarily stepped away from coaching due to burnout and health considerations, a development noted by multiple outlets.
During his leadership, GamerLegion achieved notable results, including deep runs at major LAN tournaments and frequent placements within the top 20 of global rankings.
New Coaching Structure
With imd as head coach and Grashog as assistant, GamerLegion’s coaching staff is now:
| Role | Name (Alias) |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Adrian “imd” Pieper |
| Assistant Coach | Denis “Grashog” Hristov |
This change reflects a broader shift in leadership following ash’s exit, and aims to maintain strategic continuity while introducing fresh tactical perspectives for the team.
Team Impact and Competitive Outlook
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GamerLegion is preparing for IEM Kraków 2026 Stage 1, where they are scheduled to play against Aurora on 28 January 2026.
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The organization’s CS2 roster also includes notable players such as Snax, REZ, Tauson, PR, and hypex, with imd now overseeing their development and in-game strategies.
While ash’s departure marks a significant cultural shift, the internal promotion signals GamerLegion’s intent to maintain consistency in the team’s tactical direction heading into important early-season events.
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