ENCE have officially parted ways with head coach Jakub “kuben” Gurczyński, marking the end of a long and quiet separation between the Polish veteran kuben and the Finnish organization. The decision, confirmed by ENCE, closes a chapter that began with high hopes but faded.
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From Rebuild to Resignation
kuben joined ENCE in November 2023, stepping into the role to replace Eetu “sAw” Saha. His task was to reconstruct a roster that had just lost its core, including Snappi, Maden, NertZ, and SunPayus.
Early results hinted at potential. Under kuben’s guidance, ENCE made a surprising playoff run at IEM Katowice 2024, powered by Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander’s leadership and a new-look lineup. For a brief moment, it seemed like the rebuilding project could work.
However, that momentum quickly vanished. As the season progressed, ENCE failed to find consistency or identity, and their performances dipped across multiple tournaments. The team’s failure to qualify for the Shanghai Major was a major setback that effectively sealed kuben’s fate.
Benched and Replaced
By August 2024, ENCE had already moved on. The organization quietly benched kuben and brought in Niclas “enkay J” Krumhorn to take over coaching duties. Since then, kuben has remained inactive under contract, with today’s announcement finally confirming the official split.
The Polish coach’s departure is not surprising; it merely formalizes what has been a reality for over a year.
What’s Next for Both Sides
For kuben, this marks another turning point in a long career that has spanned both playing and coaching roles. Now a free agent, he can pursue new projects — potentially with a younger roster or an organization willing to give him space to rebuild.
The move is another step in ENCE’s ongoing restructuring. The Finnish organization continues to search for stability after multiple lineup changes and an underwhelming 2024 campaign. With Enkay J still in charge, ENCE will aim to reclaim its competitive footing heading into 2025.
The End of a Quiet Era
The partnership between ENCE and kuben was defined less by drama and more by silence — a slow fade from optimism to inevitability. While both parties had the right intentions, the results never matched expectations.
As the two officially part ways, ENCE looks to reset its identity, while kuben begins the search for his next challenge in the ever-changing world of Counter-Strike 2.
