SeeEl steps down as Vivo Keyd Stars head coach, SMILEY takes over

Christopher "SeeEl" Lee is stepping down as head coach of Vivo Keyd Stars, with long-time assistant Ludvig "SMILEY" Granquist taking his place. The organization announced the change in a farewell video on their social channels, confirming SeeEl will stay on as brand ambassador.

The exit follows a 2026 campaign that fell well short of expectations. After keeping four of their five players from a 2025 side that reached Worlds, VKS struggled badly early this year, and the roster changes between the splits were noth enough to turn the tide. SeeEl framed the departure as mutual and took ownership of the results.

As the final decision maker, that responsibility comes down to me,

he said.

His spell was a landmark one. He arrived in 2024 as the first international coach to join the CBLOL straight off competing at the top level, having won the 2022 LEC title with Rogue. He guided VKS to an LTA South trophy and a first Worlds appearance in his second year.

SeeEl singled out his successor as the right man to carry the project forward. A close friend whose transition from player to coach he personally pushed, SMILEY earned a glowing endorsement. "He's a born leader," SeeEl said.