NAVI Valorant head coach Kirill "ANGE1" Karasyov has publicly apologized to the team's fans following a disappointing start to VCT 2026: EMEA Stage 2, admitting that the roster is performing well below its potential.

In a post shared on X, the former in-game leader took responsibility for the team's recent struggles and explained where he believes things have gone wrong.

"I want to apologize for the level of play we're showing right now. I'm still new to coaching, but I have enough experience to know that this team is capable of playing much better and avoiding the mistakes we're making."

According to ANGE1, his biggest mistake was expecting NAVI to play the same way on stage as they did during practice.

He explained that official matches are a completely different environment. Opponents come prepared, players feel more pressure, and executing strategies becomes much more difficult. Looking back, he believes he should have anticipated those challenges and built a system that would work under tournament conditions.

"My biggest mistake was expecting the team to attack the same way we did in practice. In official matches, opponents already know what to expect, players feel less freedom, and the pressure is much higher. I should have seen that coming. That's on me."

Despite the disappointing results, ANGE1 says the team has no intention of giving up. NAVI plan to rethink their approach and make tactical adjustments ahead of the remainder of the season.

One of his priorities is to give Ruxic and Hiro, whom he described as the team's most consistent players, a greater impact during the opening stages of attacking rounds. At the same time, he wants the entire roster to have more freedom while maintaining a shared understanding of how the team should play.

"We aren't going to sit back and accept this. We'll change our approach. I want Ruxic and Hiro to have more impact early in our attacking rounds while giving everyone more freedom without losing our identity as a team."

The coach closed his message with a promise that NAVI will continue fighting for a place at VALORANT Champions 2026.

"This is esports. It's only over when the last round has been played, or when you decide to give up. We'll do everything we can to qualify for Champions. We're not giving up."

ANGE1 became NAVI's Valorant head coach in December 2025 after transitioning from his long playing career. So far, the team has struggled to find consistency during VCT 2026: EMEA Stage 2, winning just one of its first four matches.

NAVI still have an opportunity to fight for qualification to VALORANT Champions 2026.