On the 15th (KST), SANDBOX Gaming announced via Twitter that Jakob “YamatoCannon” Mebdi has joined their League of Legends roster as the new Head Coach. 

For long time LoL esports fans, YamatoCannon is a well-known figure in the scene. From being a Head Coach on multiple European teams to being on the analyst desk on the LEC, he’s an active and well-respected figure in the European League of Legends scene. He started off his career as a player, but transitioned into the coaching role in 2015, where he was the Head Coach for MeetYourMakers during the 2015 EU LCS season. After his tenure with MYM, he continued on his career as a Head Coach with Team ROCCAT and Team Vitality. His latest tenure in the scene was as an analyst on the LEC analyst desk, and his most notable achievement is his success at Worlds with Splyce, where he found much success with the rookie squad at Worlds.

In the past, the current global Color Caster for the LCK, Nicholas “LS” De Cesare, worked with bbq Olivers in Challengers Korea. With the addition of YamatoCannon as the Head Coach, SANDBOX Gaming became the first team to ever have a Western figure in the LCK, while becoming the second Western coach to be working in the Korean Professional League of Legends scene.

Upon joining SANDBOX, YamatoCannon commented, “ I'm incredibly thrilled and honored to be a part of SANDBOX Gaming. This opportunity holds much meaning, as it represents a vast amount of trust. I believe in SANDBOX's players, staff and the resources that they hold will bring much success."

Meanwhile, the current interim Head Coach for SANDBOX, Jeong “FanTaSy” Myung-hoon, will be stepping down from his position, but will be remaining as a coach in SANDBOX’s coaching staff.

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