G2 sign former OpTic GM to lead League of Legends rebuild

❘ Updated: 2021-12-01T15:05:28

Colin Young-Wolff for Riot Games

G2 Esports have signed former OpTic Gaming General Manager Romain Bigeard to rebuild the org’s League of Legends team ahead of the 2022 season.

Romain Bigeard has officially left his position as Business Development Manager of the LEC to join G2 Esports as their new League of Legends General Manager.

The move was initially reported by Dot Esports on October 14, days after G2 CEO Carlos ‘ocelote’ Rodríguez announced major changes to his League team.

2021 was the first time G2 missed Worlds since debuting at the international event in 2016.

Bigeard, who previously served as General Manager for OpTic, will direct a squad of Caps, Jankos, and three new players as G2 look to bounce back in 2022.

Bigeard (pictured left, mid-air) worked under OpTic the last time he managed a team.

G2 Esports sign Bigeard as League GM

G2 LOL ROSTER ANNOUNCEMENT ᵖᵃʳᵗ ¹

We're excited to announce @RomainBigeard as General Manager and @Ra4fk as Team Manager! pic.twitter.com/4LzfEZFmPK

— G2 Esports (@G2esports) December 1, 2021

As the new GM for G2 Esports, Bigeard will be tasked with building a system with staff and players to compete for a Worlds Championship.

“Our hope and wish are that you look back 12 months from now and you’re proud of our work,” Ocelote said in his video explaining the roster changes. “Winning Worlds is still in the cards. Winning Worlds is still our main goal. And winning Worlds is what we’ll do.”

Read more: Upset slams former teammate Adam over “disgusting” Worlds claims

Bigeard has long been a popular figure in the wider League community for his cosplays, skits, and antics. He is G2’s first major addition of the offseason, with the rest of the squad reportedly being announced in the coming days.

Romain Bigeard will reportedly lead the G2 Army as the team’s new GM and, presumably, lead hype-man.

G2 is expected to sign Schalke 04 top laner Sergen ‘BrokenBlade’ Çelik, MAD Lions Madrid AD carry Victor ‘Flakked’ Lirola, and Karmine Corp support Raphaël ‘Targamas’ Crabbé to replace their benched players from 2021. While they have already parted ways with AD carry Martin ‘Rekkles’ Larsson, top laner Martin ‘Wunder’ Hansen and support Mihael Mikyx’ Mehle are yet to find new homes.

Read more: PapaSmithy explains 100 Thieves’ six-man roster for the 2022 LCS season

Bigeard will be an energetic presence in the G2 backroom, with a Europe-first approach to teambuilding. The hope will be that under his leadership, G2 can return to the top of the LEC, and challenge the international powerhouses from LCK and LPL.

He’s expected to bring an outspoken personality that can match that of G2’s CEO and, hopefully, more of his fan-favorite cosplays.