Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander Announces Playing Retirement, Transitions to Coaching Role

Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander Announces Playing Retirement, Transitions to Coaching Role

Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander, the iconic Danish in-game leader (IGL) best known for his four Major titles with Astralis, has officially announced his retirement from playing Counter-Strike and will transition into a coaching role. 

A Legendary Career Comes to a Close

Gla1ve, aged 30, revealed on social media that his years behind the keyboard are ending and a new chapter as a coach is beginning. He had been inactive since July, after being moved to the bench in ENCE’s roster. His final LAN appearance came at the Tipsport Conquest of Prague 2025 Finals, where ENCE fell to fnatic. 

While his stint with ENCE was significant – he led the team to an impressive victory at Elisa Masters Espoo 2024, the final LAN trophy of his playing career – his name will always be most strongly associated with his time at Astralis. 

The Golden Era at Astralis

Gla1ve joined Astralis in October 2016, succeeding Finn “karrigan” Andersen. Almost immediately, he helped sculpt a historic era for the organization. Under his leadership, Astralis claimed their first Major in Atlanta, then went on to dominate the scene in 2018–2019, winning 16 international titles, including three more Majors and the first-ever Intel Grand Slam. 

His individual accolades further cement his legacy: gla1ve placed 8th in HLTV’s Top 20 Players of 2018, and earned tournament MVP honors at IEM Beijing 2019, where he recorded a remarkable 1.48 rating. 

Transitioning Into Coaching

In his retirement announcement, gla1ve expressed gratitude for his journey: “What a ride it has been … so many memories, so many victories … lessons I’ll carry with me forever.”  He emphasized that while his role is changing, his drive to lead remains: “I am still here to lead a team to victory.” 

He stated that he always saw coaching as a natural next step. Over his playing career—especially as a long-time IGL—he says he learned valuable lessons both in-game and beyond, and now looks forward to applying that knowledge to guide players from the sidelines. 

What Led to This Decision

Gla1ve’s departure from the active roster was not sudden. He was benched by ENCE in July after more than a year and a half with the organization. The move gave him the space to reflect and evolve his future in esports. 

Prior to joining ENCE, gla1ve left Astralis in November 2023, ending a transformative chapter in his career.  He later signed with ENCE, taking over in-game leadership duties, with Jakub “kuben” Gurczynski joining as coach. 

Legacy and Future Outlook

Gla1ve’s retirement places him among other Astralis legends who have stepped back from playing, such as Andreas “Xyp9x” Højsleth and Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen. His influence, however, is far from over — many expect him to make a considerable impact in his new role as a coach and potentially as a future Hall of Famer.