The Gentle Mates Counter-Strike project has lost its coach, as Eloy “deLonge” Suárez announced his departure from the organization. The Spanish coach, who had been on the bench since April, confirmed that his contract has officially ended, freeing him to seek a new team. His exit is one piece of a larger dissolution, with the entire player roster also preparing to leave the French organization.
The Spanish coach had been with the core of this roster since January 2024, guiding the players through their time under the Iberian Soul and KOI banners before the Gentle Mates partnership. His tenure on the active coaching staff effectively ended in April of this year, when he was moved to the bench. Despite being sidelined for months, his contractual obligations to the organization remained in place until now.
The announcement, made via a post on X, formally closes his chapter with the French organization. In his statement, deLonge expressed his readiness for a new challenge, writing that he is prepared to maximize the potential of any team through structure, preparation, and continuous improvement. He also noted his fluency in Portuguese, a skill that could broaden his opportunities in the international coaching market.
This departure is not an isolated incident but part of a wider organizational shift. The players who formed the backbone of the team alongside deLonge are also on their way out of Gentle Mates. The squad has already registered for the Esports World Cup qualifier under their former name, Iberian Soul, signaling a clear break from the M8 brand. While the players’ official exit has not been formally announced, it is an open secret that Gentle Mates is withdrawing from Counter-Strike entirely.
The End of a Coaching Chapter and an Organizational Exit
The separation between deLonge and Gentle Mates is the final step in a process that began months ago. Since being benched in April, the coach had been absent from the team’s active operations, yet the formal contract kept him tied to the organization. The expiration of this agreement now allows him to openly pursue new opportunities without any lingering obligations.
His public statement emphasized a methodical approach to coaching, focusing on structure and continuous development. By highlighting his Portuguese language skills, deLonge is positioning himself for roles beyond the Spanish-speaking scene, potentially in the Brazilian or broader Lusophone Counter-Strike community. This detail suggests a strategic career move rather than a simple job search.
For Gentle Mates, the departure of the coach is a precursor to a complete exit from the competitive scene. The organization’s decision to step away from Counter-Strike is not a rumor but a widely acknowledged reality. The fact that the players are already competing under the Iberian Soul name for a major qualifier confirms that the split is both practical and imminent, even if the official paperwork is still pending.
- deLonge was moved to the bench in April and had not been actively coaching the team for several months before his contract ended.
- The coach stated he is fluent in Portuguese and is looking for a new team where he can apply his focus on structure, preparation, and continuous improvement.
- The players are also leaving Gentle Mates and have already registered for the Esports World Cup qualifier under their previous name, Iberian Soul.
- It is an open secret that Gentle Mates is withdrawing from Counter-Strike, though the players’ official exit has not been formally announced.
The timeline of deLonge’s tenure and the team’s evolution provides a clear picture of a project that ultimately failed to find stability under the Gentle Mates banner.
From Iberian Soul to Gentle Mates and Back Again
The journey of this roster highlights the transient nature of esports partnerships. The core group of players, along with deLonge, first competed as Iberian Soul before being picked up by KOI. Their move to Gentle Mates was meant to be the next step in their evolution, but the collaboration has now unraveled completely.
The team’s decision to register for the Esports World Cup qualifier as Iberian Soul is a powerful symbolic and practical move. It represents a return to their roots and a rejection of the Gentle Mates identity. This action confirms that the players are not waiting for a formal release to plan their future; they are actively moving forward as an independent unit. The lack of an official announcement from Gentle Mates regarding the players’ departure does not obscure the reality that the organization’s Counter-Strike division is effectively dissolved.
| Subject | Documented Fact |
|---|---|
| Eloy “deLonge” Suárez | Announced his departure from Gentle Mates after his contract ended; had been on the bench since April. |
| deLonge’s Statement | Expressed readiness to maximize a team’s potential with structure, preparation, and continuous improvement; noted fluency in Portuguese. |
| Gentle Mates Players | Are also leaving the organization and have registered for the Esports World Cup qualifier as Iberian Soul. |
| Gentle Mates Organization | Is widely reported to be withdrawing from Counter-Strike, though the players’ official exit is not yet formally announced. |
With deLonge now free from his contract and actively seeking a new team, his availability adds an experienced voice to the coaching market. His departure, alongside the imminent exit of the players, marks the end of Gentle Mates’ brief foray into Counter-Strike. The organization’s withdrawal leaves the Iberian Soul core to forge a new path independently, starting with their upcoming qualifier campaign.
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