This interview was conducted before the confirmation of the re-signing of the 3 preexisting T1 players
Coach Kim Jeong-gyun recently makes his return to T1 as Coach
After his run at T1 from 2013-2019, he makes his way back home after 4 years.
It’s been close to 2 months since you concluded the Hangzhou Asian Games with a Gold medal. How have you been?
“I was worrying a lot throughout the preparations for the Asian Games. It’s a relief that we were able to end up with the Gold. After the competition, the first thing that popped up in my head when I opened my eyes each morning for a week straight was: ‘What a relief’. The pressure was intense… Even when I look back now It was an amazing team that could not have been formed for any other purpose than the national team. Both the players and the coaching staff”
I assume you received so many calls from people around you after the news broke to the world that you were returning to T1.
“Everyone was congratulating me. They asked if I was receiving a lot of money (laughs).”
Why did you pick T1 instead of an LPL team?
“I am chasing romance. I received an offer from T1 during the ‘LoL World Championship’ period. Next year’s roster wasn’t confirmed but I didn’t think that long and signed the contract. My thoughts might change as I age, but recently I have been thinking ‘Is money everything?’ But of course to the players I advise that they ‘need to receive a lot of money’ (laughs). The salary wasn’t a factor in choosing T1, but my heart breaks when I see comments like: ‘They’re going to lose players while chasing kkOma’ (laughs). More than anything, I had a great desire to work at T1 for 10 years. Previously, I have been a director at T1 for 7 years from 2013 to 2019. Now if I work for 3 more years I will be with T1 fans for 10 years. I was the one who mentioned the 3 year contract. 10 years… could be long if it’s long, or could be short if it’s short. I want to share the happiness, sadness, and all twists and turns with T1 fans during that time. I also wanted to spend 10 years with Faker.”
Next year’s roster isn’t confirmed yet but you stamped the seal first.
“I got together with T1 when Worlds was going on, and didn’t think about how the team’s Stove League period was going to proceed. However, I conveyed to the team that ‘I want you to hold onto the existing roster’”
Then have you met up with the two players who have contracts remaining with the team?
“I didn’t get a good chance to meet with the players that moved to FA (Free Agent) status yesterday. I did say hello to Faker who remains with the team. It’s great and has always been great with Faker. I don’t want to say any more in the interview about Faker than I need to. Faker is so famous and receives a lot of love. If I talk about Faker I’m afraid that what I want to convey could be misinterpreted….”
You said you want to make T1 a healthy team.
“eSports teams and players on average sign a single-year contract together. Retaining current members is the top priority, but even if that is not possible, a healthy team is a team that can immediately win when you put fresh players into the vacant positions. In the past, T1 has never retained a member the following year after winning Worlds, but they were always contenders for the championship.”
T1 fans have high expectations regarding Coach Kim’s return. If you could leave a word to the fans.
“I have a strong desire to gift the happiness of victory to T1 fans. This time around, I didn’t listen to other teams’ specific proposal amount and chose T1. It’s up to you to believe, but I believe that it’s the goal and role of a professional sports coach to simply make fans laugh. I will do my best for the next 3 years.”
Translated by lcksubs : https://x.com/lcksubs/status/1727600763587670503
I think him being the head coach of the Asian Games played a huge role in bringing him back to T1. He must’ve had a good relationship with Keria and Zeus along with Faker being there as well during their time together.