Fnatic Remove Peter “Casle” Ardenskjold From CS2 Roster

Fnatic has made a significant strategic shift in their Counter-Strike 2 roster, announcing the benching of coach Peter “casle” Ardenskjold. This change brings Miks “Independent” Siliņš into the leadership role, signaling a potential turning point for the organization as they aim to enhance their competitive performance.

### Shift in Coaching Dynamics

Peter “casle” Ardenskjold was appointed to Fnatic in January 2025 as a pivotal addition to their CS2 initiative. This move followed a substantial lineup overhaul, which saw the introduction of the Ukrainian duo Rodyon “fear” Smyk and Denis “Burmylov” Buraga. While casle brought a wealth of experience from positions with organizations like MASONIC, Astralis Talent, and ECSTATIC—where he notably reached the Legends Stage at PGL Major Copenhagen 2024—his tenure with Fnatic has been less fruitful.

Recent internal evaluations indicated that the team requires a more robust strategic vision. Fnatic’s management expressed gratitude for casle’s professionalism and commitment, emphasizing that the decision reflects the organization’s broader long-term goals.

### Independent Takes the Helm

Replacing casle, Independent has been part of Fnatic since May 2024, initially joining as an assistant coach. The 26-year-old began his coaching career in May 2020 with Team Medieval and has contributed to the development of several teams, including Wolsung and Guild Esports. His experience within the competitive scene positions him well to lead Fnatic into a new phase.

In his debut as interim coach, Independent oversaw a decisive 2-0 victory over Dynamo Eclot during the online stage playoffs of the Conquest of Prague 2025. This win not only marks a promising start but also secures Fnatic a place in the upcoming LAN event, which features a €30,000 (approximately US$34,012) prize pool, set to commence on May 30.

### Reflecting on Performance and Future Outlook

Despite casle’s previous accomplishments, such as a runner-up finish at CCT Season 2 European Series #19 in March, Fnatic’s results over the last four months have not met the high expectations set for a team of their caliber. Under casle, the team struggled to secure any trophy, highlighting the pressing need for an evolution in leadership and strategy.

Moving forward, Fnatic’s choice to transition to Independent represents a bold step towards revitalizing their competitive edge. With his understanding of the team dynamics and experience in nurturing talent, he is well-placed to drive Fnatic’s aspirations for optimal performance in upcoming tournaments.

In summary, the restructuring of Fnatic’s coaching staff underscores a commitment to continuous improvement and competitive excellence within the dynamic landscape of esports. As the team adapts to this change, all eyes will be on their performance in the forthcoming matches—an opportunity for Independent to cement his legacy as the team’s new guiding force.