ElectroNic Steps Down as Cloud9’s IGL: A Look into the Emotional Side of Leadership
In a recent turn of events, the professional CS:GO player Denys “ElectroNic” Sharipov has stepped down from his position as Cloud9’s in-game leader (IGL). While ElectroNic only captained the team for three major tournaments, his impact was notable, but his departure has left fans wondering why.
ElectroNic joined Cloud9 in July, taking over leadership from Vladislav “nafany” Gorshkov. The team went through some struggles in major tournaments IEM Cologne, Gamers8, and ESL Pro League season 18, failing to reach the semifinals or even go beyond the group stage. ElectroNic’s prior experience as IGL for Natus Vincere, leading them to win the BLAST Premier Spring Final in June 2022, had many fans hopeful for Cloud9’s future under his guidance. However, his reign as IGL ended suddenly, leaving the role to HObbit and then, ultimately, to Boombl4 in November.
Until now, neither C9 nor electroNic had disclosed the reason for his departure from team captaincy. During an interview with HLTV at the BLAST Premier Fall Final’s opening day, electroNic finally revealed why he felt he wasn’t the right person for the job. “I think the mood in the team is a bit better right now than it was in the old roster,” he explained. “I’m probably not that good with IGLing, to be a captain in the team, probably not, I don’t know. The problem was that I’m super emotional, and it’s hard for me to be an IGL. When I saw something was going wrong on the map, I could rage, so probably I was not good enough.”
ElectroNic’s vulnerability and honesty about his emotional nature provide a unique insight into the often-underappreciated challenges of leading a team. Additionally, recent personal life challenges or events that may have contributed to his decision remain undisclosed or unknown.
Since stepping down, electroNic has refocused his attention on fragging and contributing with mid-round calls. In the BLAST Premier Fall Final against NAVI, he played exceptionally well, with 62 kills and only 42 deaths across three maps.
C9’s coach, who supports the leadership change, said, “ElectroNic is an incredible player, and his passion makes him unique. Giving him the space to focus on his gameplay will not only benefit him but also the team. We’re confident we can achieve better results in the future.”
The changing of the guard marks a new chapter for Cloud9. While it’s difficult to say how the team’s performance will fare without ElectroNic’s leadership, it’s clear that his heartfelt decision to step down comes from a place of genuine care for the collective success of the team. As fans and fellow eSports enthusiasts, we can only hope that this decision leads to a brighter and more victorious future for Cloud9.
