Now passing the torch, FEBIVEN has officially retired as a player, but new horizons lie ahead. With around 11 years as a professional League of Legends midlaner, the Dutch personality is now unveiling his own coaching platform, aiming to give back to the community that shaped him over the last decade. In an exclusive interview, FEBIVEN offers a poignant retrospective of his career while revealing the details of his coaching philosophy and new platform.

Today I'm joined by Febiven, the ex-midlaner for teams like Fnatic, H2k, and Misfits. You’ve had an incredible career and are now transitioning into coaching. For newer fans who might not know you, could you re-introduce yourself?

Fabian "FEBIVEN" Diepstraten: "Of course. My name is Febiven, and I started my professional League of Legends career in 2014 with Cloud9 Eclipse. After that, I joined H2k, and things went so well that I quickly moved to Fnatic in 2015. I had an amazing start there—some people might know me for solo-killing Faker at MSI. From that point on, we built our fan base, won the LEC twice in 2015, and I had the privilege of playing alongside great teammates.

Over the years, I played for many teams and spent around five to six years in the LEC. In the last few years, I’ve been competing in Academy leagues, trying to work my way back up. However, now feels like the right time to transition because I feel my playing career is coming to an end.

I want to focus on helping others by sharing the experiences and lessons I’ve learned. My goal is to guide the younger generation to replicate my success and support other professional players as well.

How has your personal growth been over the years, especially going from having a short temper to becoming more mature? And how has the transition to wanting to start coaching been for you?

FEBIVEN: I remember when I was just starting, everything was about myself. Going into professional play really takes a lot of effort to get your name out there, and everything started with solo queue. At some point, I got very high in the rankings. I had three accounts in the top 10. Then, teams started wanting to connect with me, and it became all about showing my skills and what I had to offer. That's something I did, and with it came a lot of success. Of course, failure came with it too—it's not all sunshine and rainbows, as people like to say.

We had a great run in 2015, and everything went perfectly. We won almost all of our games. However, behind the scenes, you don't see everything that goes wrong. Going into 2016, I felt on top of the world and thought I could replicate the success we had in 2015. But things started to fall apart, and we didn’t even make it to Worlds after such a successful year. After that season, I was devastated. I remember sitting at home thinking, "How is it possible that you go from winning everything to going home without even reaching Worlds?"

That experience made me realize there were a lot of things I wasn’t doing right. I started reflecting on what I could do to help my teammates and myself become better players and teammates in general. It’s not just about playing the game; it’s about connecting with your teammates and understanding your role in the team. I began figuring that out during that setback of a year.

I guess that’s where it all started—from those setbacks. I had to learn and come back from them. I think that’s what I showed later on in H2k, where things started to bloom again, and we saw some success.

What do you think was missing back then, especially after 2015 with Fnatic, considering the downward trajectory that followed, now that you've had time to reflect and are taking a step back with a different approach?

FEBIVEN: When you mention the downward trajectory after that, it's something that comes up for me often. You play your second year competitively, win the league both times and then make it to the semifinals at Worlds. After that, your expectations are very high. But in reality, it's something crazy to replicate. It's not impossible—people have done it—but that level was very high, and it was tough to reach again.

I would say that at the time, I was very... How do I put this? I didn't have an open mind. I was very focused on myself, just playing well. I wasn't open to new things because I always just did what I was used to, what worked in solo queue and in competitive. I stuck with that approach. But when things don't go well, you need to figure out what isn't working and how to fix it. That's just the nature of failure. You always look for solutions, because if you don't, you're not learning. And in a constantly evolving competition, you have to progress and move forward.

Do you think it's hard to bounce back after a slump, especially after your time with Misfits? It seems like once players hit that point, it's tough to get back to a top team.

FEBIVEN: Yeah, what you're saying is definitely true. I think it has a lot to do with perception. If a player has a certain level of success, like winning a title or two, people in the scene often expect them to do it again. But I don't think that's very realistic. Sure, you're a champion, but there are so many factors involved.

When a player fails to meet those expectations, the value or perception of that player tends to drop. I don't know if that makes sense, but it happens a lot—players feel this huge pressure. If they've won the LEC, but then don't perform well in the following years, people assume there's something wrong with them. Of course, that's an extreme view.

It also has to do with how players operate in teams. There are only 10 teams, so just 50 spots. A lot of factors come into play, like salary, age, or experience. There are so many great players, but it's impossible to have them all play at once, and that's what we're seeing now.

What major lessons have you learned from your time in the ERLs, especially working with rookies and less experienced players compared to the LEC?

FEBIVEN: Patience. I think that, as you said when you go from the LEC to the ERLs, the overall level drops. The gameplay drops, the intensity drops—everything is on a lower pitch, which is normal. However, for a player who has been at the highest level for so many years, it’s very hard to adapt to that, if that makes sense. You’re used to everything being very tryhard, playing with the best players in every position, and having everything set up perfectly, like with teams such as Fnatic, H2k, or even Misfits. These teams had great structure, gaming facilities, and everything you need to succeed as a player. But in the ERLs, you’re often playing from home, and everything is on a lower pitch, from salary to player skill, to the scrims you’re getting.

What I learned from that is that I had to be very patient. It’s a skill that’s hard to master, but you need to be patient with the people around you, especially since I was a step ahead of the players I was playing with. In the end, you’re only as good as your teammates. So, I had to become good at guiding them and helping them as much as possible, all while still playing well. I stopped focusing so much on the outcome—on winning championships or titles—because if you focus only on that, you feel like it’s a failure when it doesn’t happen. Instead, I tried to detach from the outcome and focus on the process. I focused on day-to-day practice, how I communicate, how much energy I give to people, and how I train.

I worked on everything I could do to become a better player and teammate. This meant having patience, being open, and working on my own well-being—both physically and spiritually. I really tried to show my teammates that I’m still passionate and that I still want to play at a high level, like I did before. These are the lessons I’ve learned and tried to pass on to others.

Is playing something you'll miss now that you're retiring to become a coach? With TDS earlier this year, it felt like your last shot—would you have continued playing if the team had performed better?

FEBIVEN: Ouch, that's a very hard question. I think there’s a time and place for everything, and I’m not really sure how it would have turned out. However, I’ve always acknowledged and really felt passionate about helping other people. Over the offseason, I realized that sometimes I get way more joy from helping people, seeing their progress, and seeing my own, than from the actual end result, like winning the whole thing. The more I detached from that, the more I started to find my true passion, if that makes sense.

It took a lot of time and reflection, but for now, the playing part is over. There are still so many things I can help with. For example, I've never really worked on my brand, but over the years, I’ve built up so many fans. I feel like it’s finally time to give back after all those years of playing. As a pro player, you’re very self-centered and focused on yourself, and it’s hard to juggle things like streaming or making content while being so focused on competition. It’s intense, and I feel like one would suffer if I tried to do both.

I’m still very competitive though, and whether it’s helping people online or being a coach for a team, I’m interested in both. I just want to help as many people as possible and expand in new ways. That’s what I love to do now. When I wake up, I just want to help people.

After 11 years as a player, do you feel like you're now starting the next 11 years as a coach? How long do you see yourself staying in esports?

FEBIVEN: Well... I don’t know man [laughs]. This is my home, you know? When I look back over these years, I've made so many friendships and met so many people. For example, a funny story—Exakick (3XA) always tells me he was 12 years old when he was watching me play at Worlds. Now, he’s becoming a superstar himself. I’ve been in contact with him for a long time, and he feels like my little brother. I see how much respect he has for me, and I, of course, feel the same way and have to give that back because I see the potential in him.

It's all about the friendships and the people I’ve seen build their careers and find success, like Perkz and Caps, who actually ended up taking my spot. I have nothing but respect for them. Also, massive props to Riot Games. They’re an amazing company. They really try to make everything as easy as possible for players to perform. For example, for Worlds, they make sure everything is covered—from backstage to traveling and hotels. I can’t say anything but good things about Riot. I’m really glad to see how everything is evolving.

I've been playing since the beginning, and I’m just grateful that so many people come to me and tell me, “Hey, I’ve been watching you since 2015. You’re the reason I started playing League of Legends” or that Fnatic 2015 inspired so many people to play the game. Now, people come to my stream and say similar things.

I’m really happy and grateful for all the years I spent playing. It’s crazy to think that something I started just for fun ended up evolving like this. I can see myself going hard for the next 10 years. There’s so much talent and so many nice people. Of course, not everyone’s nice, but that’s life—you have to find the right people to surround yourself with. I’m sure there are enough of them, and that’s where I’m going to put my energy.

You're transitioning into a coaching and content creation role. Can you tell us more about it?

FEBIVEN: Over the last month, I've been reflecting a lot on how I can make the biggest impact and help the most people globally. I've been journaling a lot, trying to figure out what I want to do. I’m actually going to build this for myself. I'm creating my own website where I'll be offering League of Legends-related courses, covering things like Assassin and Mage matchups, how to play in the mid and late game, and much more. I'll keep adding new content over the months, but this is just the start. I'll also be offering private one-on-one coaching, which I plan to keep very exclusive. I don’t want to stream these coaching sessions. When someone books coaching with me, I want to give them my full attention and focus on how I can help them, rather than making it available to the public. I want it to be really valuable for those who seek my help, and I'm excited to get started.

In addition to that, I'll be uploading personal content on YouTube. These won’t be typical League of Legends gameplay videos. I want to share my personal thoughts, such as my views on the League of Legends community. I’ll also be streaming a lot to see where that goes. I still love playing the game, and people enjoy watching me play, so I plan to combine all of this for now. This is what I feel I should be doing, so I’ll be focusing on it in the upcoming months.

We've seen many ex-players transition into coaching over time, like YellOwStaR, DanDan, and sOAZ, with whom you've all worked. What do you think your strengths as a coach are, and what sets you apart from others?

FEBIVEN: That's a good question. Well, I believe every person has their own skill set, so I don't think it's about being better than someone else. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. I believe I'm very good at spotting specific details. Of course, I've played many scrims and faced the best players, like Faker and Caps. I've also played with great teammates, like Razork, Hans Sama, sOAZ, GorillA, Jankos, and the entire Fnatic lineup.

Additionally, I spent a year in America, where I really enjoyed working with other people. I get energy from those around me, and I feel I'm good at reading people. I think this is important in coaching, whether you're working with a group or an individual. It's about understanding how a person operates, and I’m really interested in psychology. By identifying a person's needs, you can adapt your approach to help them as much as possible.

I think this is a great strength of mine. I'm also very open, full of energy, and have a lot of respect in the community. This isn't something I'm doing for the money; I truly feel this is what I should be doing. I'm driven and confident in my abilities, or I wouldn’t be able to set everything up like this.

Earlier, you mentioned Exakick and younger players. As a veteran and now coach, what do you think is the biggest thing younger pro players are missing? Is it mentality or something else? What do you feel they're not getting right?

FEBIVEN: It really depends on the player, but what I'm seeing is that most players don't understand how to create balance. You know, when you watch Eastern teams, you hear that they're playing until 5 a.m. and playing League of Legends all day, like T1 with Faker, who are winning trophies that way. But in my opinion, that's not always the most optimal approach. I do know that some Asian teams also focus on exercise and value things like nutrition, which is really important.

Younger players, I see, are very stuck on one way of doing things. For example, the way they play their champions or how they view certain matchups. They're not open enough to new ideas or trying different things, or understanding that a new matchup can make a difference. It's easy to say, "I'm really good at this," but they also need to identify their weaknesses and build around them, while also strengthening their strengths.

I’d say it’s important to be open to different things. Maybe it’s nutrition, going to the gym, or spending your off day not playing League of Legends. There are so many factors that can impact performance, and I think most players aren’t aware of them. So, I’d suggest younger players try to learn from the greats, like Faker. He’s often said in interviews that exercise, nutrition, reading, and meditation are important. These are things that 99% of the community may not even be aware of, but Faker is the GOAT and has been winning consistently, so those things must have a great impact on his performance and his team.

To sum it up, it’s all about paying attention to the small things. I know it sounds like a lot, but those little things really make a big difference.

If this project is successful, are you keeping the option open to move back into pro coaching, maybe in the LEC or another league, and possibly even becoming a head coach one day?

FEBIVEN: Of course, there are many organizations I would love to work with, and I am very aware of the ones that have great values and are truly committed to winning if that makes sense. You see some organizations doing everything they can to succeed, grow, and build the best rosters possible. Now, not everyone has the resources for that, but the top teams always end up on top. I'm very open to all projects, but I must admit I am a bit picky. I know what kind of people I want to surround myself with, and with my experience in the scene, I know a lot of people. But yes, I’m definitely open to opportunities.

This offseason, I've been looking for the right project. I've had a lot of talks and interviews, but it just hasn't been the right time yet. Sometimes that happens, so we'll see what comes next. I’m a competitor, and I’ve been playing games my whole life. I love working with people, so I’m definitely excited about what the future holds.

Do you have a specific goal for this year, or are you just going with the flow and seeing where it leads?

FEBIVEN: I would say I'm not sure if I'm different in this sense, but here's how I view it: I'm still very young—28 years old—and I've just transitioned into coaching. So, I'm learning every day. Every day I wake up, and I’m thinking, "How can I do this better?" Whether that's figuring out how to put the course together or understanding how I can best operate with my clients and how they want me to coach them. I’m just living day by day. I’m streaming, and every day I get questions like, "When is your coaching available?" or "When is this project launching?"

But I want to make sure I take it step by step. I’m not setting high expectations like, "I want to sell this many courses" or "Coach over 100 people in a month." As I said before, I want to take it day by day because I feel like every day I’m learning something new. If you compare me now to how I was just a week ago, I’m already a little more experienced. So, I want to take things slow, step by step, be patient, and see where it leads.

How do you see yourself tackling different player profiles, from various roles and skill levels, on this new platform? Do you feel ready to take on anyone with the knowledge you've gained?

FEBIVEN: Yeah, this is of course going to be a challenge. However, I do have experience working with some of the greatest players in multiple roles, so I’ve gained a lot of knowledge and learned about other roles. So yes, I’m very open to coaching any role. As you said, there might be an older player, maybe a 40-year-old just starting out in League, or a 13-year-old who’s already a Challenger Katarina OTP. I think that’s really fun, and I’d be excited if that happened. My approach would be to identify exactly how I can help them in the best way possible.

I know that everyone is different, so I’ll have to help everyone in a unique way. That’s what makes it exciting and fun for me—it’s a challenge to figure out how I can do that. I’m confident I’ll be able to, though I might not know exactly yet. I’ll need to talk to them, pick their brain, and see what they need, what they’re lacking, and what they’re good at. Of course, they can also ask me any questions. I’m very adaptable, flexible, and open with people, and I’ll try to understand exactly what they need.

What do you think would be the hardest profile to coach for you? Whether it’s role, rank, age, or something else, who do you think would be the toughest person to coach?

FEBIVEN: All right, that's very clear to me. I would say a jungler who always blames their laners. You know, most League of Legends players love to blame others, but I can understand the jungler’s role is stressful. Every game, you’re playing with three laners you don’t know, and maybe three different matchups every time. I can understand the frustration that comes with that. Of course, frustration is a separate issue. But I can tell the jungle can be the most frustrating role because of the inconsistency in pathing and the interactions with laners. You have to constantly adapt, and I think that’s very challenging.

It would be difficult for me to teach this aspect of the game because, in the end, every solo queue game is different. I can’t teach them how to play every game specifically; they’ll have to figure it out themselves. However, I can give them guidelines and direction to help them improve and become more aware of their mistakes. For example, I can help them understand how certain lanes work because I know how most matchups go in every lane. So, I can definitely help with that. I'm just really excited to get started.

Do you think certain roles are harder to climb in, especially in lower elos? And do you believe in Elo Hell, or is that not really a thing?

FEBIVEN: Well, this is actually a question I get on my stream every day: which role is the hardest to carry? I ask my chat, and everyone always says different things. I believe certain roles are stronger in different elos. From my experience, at the highest level, the jungler and support have a lot of agency in the early game. They make plans around objectives, have engage tools, or have the power to invade. So, at the highest level, I’d say jungle and support have a lot of impact early on.

Mid lane, AD carry, and top lane have more of an impact later, with solo lane play and teleport, and AD carries scaling. But if you’re playing in lower elo and you’re on a roaming support, it can be hard to enable the laner you want to help. Sometimes, you might fail in that aspect. However, you can adapt—if you’re playing a lower elo support, you can try playing AP carries like Xerath support, for example, and stomp your lane.

I think it really depends on the elo. Midlane is a very nice role. I actually climbed to Challenger with a 75% win rate in the last two weeks. Midlane is really good. I also track the Worlds players, and I’ve seen players like Bin reach an 85% win rate with crazy stats. I’ve seen insane stats in every role, but I think support actually looks like the hardest. However, jungle, AD carry, mid, and top, if you’re good, you’ll definitely climb.

Do you have any message you want to share with the community, especially since this is such a big chapter in your life and many people have followed you for so long?

FEBIVEN: I want to thank everyone who has been supporting me, and I hope you’ll continue to support me in this new chapter. As you know, I’m officially a coach now, so if you need help, feel free to reach out. I’m always streaming on Twitch, and I’m also launching my project, which you’ll have access to. Thank you so much, I really appreciate the support."