Aleksei “Qikert” Golubev has ended his playing career and joined Spirit Academy as the new head coach. The 27-year-old moves into coaching after nearly a decade as a professional player, including winning IEM Rio Major 2022 with Outsiders.
Qikert replaces Vladislav “Flash_1” Bykov, who remains with the organization and will now coach Spirit Academy White.
Qikert begins coaching career
Spirit Academy officially announced Qikert as the new head coach on October 21.
We would like to introduce to you Aleksei @Qikert Golubev, the new head coach of Team Spirit Academy 🤝
He’s got the IEM Rio Major 2022 trophy and a StarLadder Major Berlin 2019 runner-up’s medal under his belt!
We’re excited to welcome him to the team🔥 https://t.co/GT0YPuvNHl
— Team Spirit Academy (@TSpirit_Academy) October 21, 2026
The move brings an end to a playing career in which Qikert attended seven Majors and reached two Major Grand Finals.
He finished second with AVANGAR at StarLadder Major Berlin 2019 before winning IEM Rio Major 2022 with Outsiders.
Qikert also collected trophies at BLAST Pro Series Moscow 2019, ESL Challenger Rotterdam and ESL Challenger Katowice 2023 during his career.
Final year as a player
Qikert started 2026 with MIBR before leaving the organization and later joining 1win.
His time with 1win included a victory at MPKBK CIS LAN Season 4, adding another trophy to his career.
He entered free agency earlier in October and has now chosen to move away from competing as a player rather than search for another lineup.
The transition gives Qikert his first coaching role.
Spirit Academy add Major-winning experience
Spirit Academy have developed several players who later moved into higher-level competition, including Danil “donk” Kryshkovets, Myroslav “zont1x” Plakhotia, Kirill “Magnojez” Rodnov, Timur “FL4MUS” Marev and Pavel “S1ren” Ogloblin.
Qikert now takes responsibility for a young roster with an average age of around 18 years.
His experience includes seven Major appearances, a Major trophy and years of competition with AVANGAR, Virtus.pro, Outsiders, PARIVISION, MIBR and 1win.
Spirit Academy roster
Spirit Academy now consist of:
- Kirill “Kiryasoo” Solovkov
- Nikita “s1nside” Besedin
- Vitaly “VILBy” Zakharyuta
- Kirill “k0gaSs” Emelyanov
- David “Netrix” Kudziev
- Aleksei “Qikert” Golubev — coach
Flash_1 will remain inside Team Spirit while taking charge of Spirit Academy White.
