Xizt Extends Contract as NiP Commit to Long-Term Rebuild

Xizt Extends Contract as NiP Commit to Long-Term Rebuild

Richard “Xizt” Landström has signed a new deal with Ninjas in Pyjamas, remaining as head coach of the organization’s Counter-Strike 2 roster. The 34-year-old tactician, a legendary figure of the iconic 2012–2018 NiP lineup, will continue leading the team as they push forward with their ongoing rebuild. While the organization confirmed that the contract has been extended, it has not yet disclosed the duration of the new agreement.

Xizt originally returned to NiP as head coach in early 2024, stepping in during a period of sweeping structural changes that saw the team bench several players—including headtr1ck, es3tag, and k0nfig—and begin a full-scale reset. Since then, he has overseen two major lineup overhauls and helped assemble the current roster heading into 2025. Under his leadership, NiP climbed from zero VRS points at the start of the year to securing a spot at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, where they will begin Stage 1 against NRG.

A Return “Home”: How Xizt Came Back to NiP

Xizt’s contract extension marks another chapter in a long and meaningful relationship with the organization. After retiring from professional play in 2021, he said he was “very happy and satisfied” with his career accomplishments, while also expressing motivation to continue working in Counter-Strike—particularly in coaching or analytical roles.

Later that year, he joined Heroic as an analyst and temporary coach during the PGL Major Stockholm cycle. This move marked his first committed step into coaching after years as an in-game leader. Heroic later appointed him as their full-time head coach, a position he held for over two years.

During his tenure, Heroic enjoyed one of the most successful periods in their history, securing titles such as the Pinnacle Cup Championship 2022, BLAST Premier Fall Final 2022, and BLAST Premier Spring Final 2023. They also maintained top placements in the HLTV world rankings throughout that time.

Xizt left Heroic at the end of 2023 amid organizational changes. In his farewell message, he said he looked back on his time there “with a lot of joy and pride,” noting how the team grew from being criticized in arenas to becoming fan favorites—a transition he felt deeply connected to.

Following a brief break, NiP brought him onboard in March 2024 as part of their response to missing the Copenhagen Major. In official communications, Xizt expressed how much it hurt to watch NiP struggle and said he wanted to help build a new era for the organization. On social media, he echoed the sentiment, writing: “It’s good to be home… Hopefully we can announce the new roster soon.”

Inside NiP’s Rebuild Under Xizt

Once installed as head coach, Xizt began reconstructing the team around long-time star Fredrik “REZ” Sterner and in-game leader Alejandro “alex” Masanet. The rebuild involved benching multiple veterans and making room for promising talent and academy players.

One of the most notable moves came in March 2024, when NiP promoted Max “maxster” Jansson from the Young Ninjas academy team. Already familiar with top-tier play thanks to previous stand-in performances at events like the CS Asia Championships 2023, maxster’s promotion fit into the broader restructuring aligned with Xizt’s return.

Throughout 2024 and early 2025, NiP competed in numerous mid-tier tournaments and qualifiers, gradually improving through playoffs and deep runs at events such as StarSeries and Fragville. The team frequently hovered around the top-30 as adjustments continued.

Their major breakthrough came when they qualified for the Budapest Major 2025—a significant milestone for a roster that began the year with no VRS points and had to grind through the qualification circuit to earn its place.

Xizt’s Coaching Identity: Quotes That Define His Philosophy

Statements from across his career reveal the philosophical foundation behind NiP’s decision to commit to him long-term:

Upon retiring in 2021, Xizt said he was proud of his journey as a player and was highly motivated to work “to win tournaments again, but in a different role,” showing an early desire to move into coaching.

During his onboarding at Heroic for PGL Stockholm 2021, team leader Casper “cadiaN” Møller said the organization and Xizt were “testing each other” to see if their communication style and competitive philosophy aligned—an early indication of the thoughtful, system-driven approach Xizt is known for.

In his goodbye message to Heroic in 2023, he described the team’s identity as “unique, dynamic and entertaining,” and said helping build that identity was a major reason he valued his time with them.

These quotes highlight a coach who prioritizes structure, identity, communication, and long-term development—qualities NiP clearly want at the core of their renewed Counter-Strike project.

Why This Extension Matters Ahead of the Budapest Major

Renewing Xizt’s contract just before the start of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 1 signals NiP’s confidence in their long-term direction. After years of inconsistency, the organization is committing to stability, trusting a coach who understands NiP’s history and has already proven he can guide teams to deep runs at elite tournaments.

For Xizt, the extension further solidifies the second phase of his career: from legendary in-game leader of the 87-0 NiP roster, to Major-winning coach with Heroic, to architect of NiP’s resurgence in CS2. His continued leadership positions him firmly at the center of the Swedish organization’s future.