Sacy Joins T1 as Head Coach for VCT 2027

T1 has officially appointed Gustavo “Sacy” Rossi as its new head coach for the 2027 VALORANT season. Announced on Friday, November 13, the appointment marks the Brazilian's return to professional competition, this time leading the coaching staff of a VCT Pacific team.

A Champions 2022 winner with LOUD and Masters Madrid 2024 champion with Sentinels, Sacy is taking on his first professional coaching role. In its official announcement, T1 highlighted the two international titles Sacy won during his playing career.

The organization also released a video introducing its new head coach:

Sacy Reunites With TenZ at T1

The appointment reunites Sacy with Tyson “TenZ” Ngo, his former Sentinels teammate from 2023 to 2024. The Canadian was officially announced as a T1 player on Thursday, November 12, ending a two-year absence from professional competition. The pair previously won Masters Madrid 2024 together.

T1 has also confirmed the signing of Austin “crashies” Roberts, who returns to the organization more than six years after his first stint. The roster also features South Korean players Yu “BuZz” Byung-chul, Kim “stax” Gu-taek, and Ham “iZu” Woo-joo. BuZz and stax have both signed contract extensions through 2028, while iZu remains under contract through the end of 2027.

Sacy replaces Kim “KDG” Dong-gun, who left the organization in early November. The coaching change was part of a wider roster overhaul that also saw Kim “Meteor” Tae-oh, Byeon “Munchkin” Sang-beom, and Kang “DH” Dong-ho depart, moves that had already been reported in October.

In 2026, T1 reached the VALORANT Champions playoffs for the first time, finishing in fifth to sixth place. With a roster combining South Korean and North American players, the rebuilt team will now compete in VCT Pacific 2027.

Sacy Reflects on His Journey and Decision to Join T1

Following the announcement, Sacy shared a lengthy personal statement on X, reflecting on his journey from League of Legends to VALORANT, his admiration for T1 and Faker, and the doubts he faced before accepting his first coaching role. He also spoke about the importance of his time away from competition and his excitement about reuniting with TenZ.

Here is his full statement, translated from Portuguese:

Life has a funny way of surprising me. When I started my esports career in League of Legends at 16, I never imagined I'd get to experience everything I have. It's been a crazy ride, a good kind of crazy, but crazy nonetheless. And I definitely never imagined I'd one day have the opportunity to be part of an organization like T1.

I think, like any LoL player, I've always looked up to T1. I grew up in the competitive scene following the organization's history and Faker's career. He has always been one of my biggest inspirations as a player. Being here today, even if it's in a different game and a completely different role, is something I never thought would actually be possible.

A few years ago, back in 2020, I made one of the hardest decisions of my career. I left League of Legends, where I already had a stable career, to take a chance on a completely new game: VALORANT. I didn't know what to expect, and there was absolutely no guarantee it would work out, but I decided to give it a shot. It was tough, and on top of all the challenges, a pandemic hit.

VALORANT took me to countries I never imagined I'd visit. It gave me the opportunity to play for some of the biggest organizations, win national titles, become a Champions winner with LOUD and a Masters winner with Sentinels. I've experienced things that, if someone had told me about them years ago, I probably wouldn't have believed.

After so many years competing in both LoL and VALORANT, I decided to retire as a player and start a new chapter as a content creator.

I chose to focus on content creation. VALORANT has always been and always will be my passion, but I wanted to enjoy it in a more relaxed way.

Moving back to Brazil from LA, I built a different routine where I could just play the game without feeling like I had to be the best or prove myself to anyone. That time was essential for my mental health and for getting to know myself as Gustavo, not Sacy.

I knew that at some point I'd want to return to the competitive scene as a coach. I just never imagined that moment would come so soon. And I definitely never imagined it would be with T1.

When I got the offer, my first reaction was surprise. Then came the doubts. I'd never been a coach before. My life was going well. My wife and I had just bought a house, we'd set everything up exactly the way we'd always dreamed, and I was happy with what I was building. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I didn't need to change anything.

But then I remembered that some of the best things that have happened in my life came from moments when I decided to step outside my comfort zone.

And how could I say no to an opportunity that, back when everything started, when I still had hair hahaha, I couldn't even have dreamed of?

I know that being a good player doesn't automatically make you a good coach. I have a lot to learn, a lot of room to grow, and a huge responsibility ahead of me in 2027. But I also know how much I've experienced in this game and how much I've learned from every team, every teammate, and every experience along the way.

Now I want to turn all of that into something that can help other players become the best versions of themselves.

At the end of the day, I'm really excited to work with such a talented group of players, reunite with TenZ, someone I've already had the chance to share the server with, and most importantly, learn from this new perspective on the game.

Being the first Brazilian to become part of T1's history makes all of this even crazier. It's a responsibility I take on with immense pride and gratitude.

I don't know exactly what this new chapter has in store for me. But looking back, I realize I never really did.

I want to thank T1 for believing in me and giving me this opportunity, even though it's my first job as a coach. I want to thank my family for letting me choose a path so different from the traditional one and for believing in my dreams from the very beginning. And my wife, who's been by my side through every decision, even when it means completely changing our plans.

And of course, I want to thank all of you who've been following me for so many years, since my LoL days, through every team, every title, every victory, and every defeat. Thank you for sticking around, even when I decide to change everything and try something new with my life.

I hope this new chapter also serves as a reminder that we shouldn't put our dreams on the back burner. Sometimes life presents us with opportunities that seem way too big, at moments when it would be so much easier to just stay where we are.

But if there's one thing life has taught me, it's that we'll never find out how far we can go unless we're brave enough to try.

From World Champion to First Professional Coaching Role

Before taking on his new position, Sacy built an accomplished playing career that included a stint with Team Vikings and a world championship title with LOUD in 2022. The Brazilian helped LOUD defeat OpTic Gaming 3-1 in the Champions Istanbul grand final. He then spent two seasons with Sentinels, winning Masters Madrid and finishing fourth at Champions 2024.

Sacy retired from professional play on September 15, 2024. In March 2025, he joined MIBR as a streamer and content creator, regularly broadcasting tournaments and hosting watch parties. He announced his departure from the organization on November 9, 2026, revealing that he had accepted a new opportunity for the following year.

During his time away from professional competition, Sacy was also selected to represent Brazil at the Esports Nations Cup, originally scheduled for 2026. However, the tournament was postponed until November 2027, prompting the Brazilian to abandon his plans to compete as a player. His return to the professional scene will instead come from behind the team, as T1's new head coach.

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Featured Image Credit: T1

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