Two days after announcing the departure of Nikita "Derke" Sirmitev, Team Vitality reported parting ways with their VALORANT head coach Gregor "PAL" Morton. This happened shortly after the team secured the runner-up title at VALORANT Champions Shanghai.
Statements from both sides
Team Vitality bid farewell to the Scottish specialist with warm words, noting his dedication and contribution to a new chapter in the club's history. In his statement, PAL thanked Vitality for supporting his vision from the very beginning. The coach noted that his contract with the club runs until 2027, but he is ready to wait for the right opportunity for a new challenge.
Season progress and success in Shanghai
The 2026 season turned out to be the most productive for Vitality, although it started with difficulties. The roster kicked off Stage 1 with a 0-3 record but managed to reach the grand final and make it to Masters London. Despite a setback in the Stage 2 playoffs, the team qualified for VALORANT Champions 2026 as the fourth seed via championship points.
At the tournament in Shanghai, Vitality suffered no defeats in the group stage, after which they defeated Nongshim, G2, and 100 Thieves, losing only in the grand final to LOUD with a score of 1:3. In his interviews, PAL noted that the key to success was the team's acceptance of its own limitations and the formation of a new identity based on them.
Roster changes and preparation for the new season
The loss of the head coach occurred immediately after the departure of the star Finnish player Derke, who played for Vitality for two seasons and won the Kickoff 2025 title with the team.
The organization is confirmed as a VCT partner for 2027 but is forced to start rebuilding the roster ahead of the open qualifiers, which kick off in November. Four players have active contracts with Vitality for the next year:
- Jamppi
- PROFEK
- Chronicle
- Sayonara
From BBL Esports to the Champions final
Before moving to Vitality, PAL worked in the Turkish organization BBL Esports (started as an assistant, and in 2025 took over the roster, where he worked with Jamppi and PROFEK). At that time, the team took third place in Stage 2 and stopped one step away from Champions Paris. In November 2025, PAL, Jamppi, and PROFEK joined Vitality, where together with Sayonara, Chronicle, and Derke they formed a roster that reached the decisive match of the world championship for the first time in the club's history.
As a reminder, Gen.G GC and Nova Esports GC Become the First Teams Eliminated from the VALORANT Game Changers Championship 2026