Beginning in Week 11 of the regular LPL split, Coach Xiao "Chris" Qiang, previously of Royal Club, joined LGD Gaming as their coach on stage. After the semifinal victory LGD took over Edward Gaming and subsequent qualification to the World Championship, Chris reportedly departed from the club, leaving a confusing statement on his weibo.

If you think I'm not as good as a Korean coach, it's okay. I'm not attending Season 5 Worlds.

—Chris, 2015

A few players commented on the incident on stream, but LGD made no definitive statement. Following LGD Gaming's close victory against Qiao Gu in the Summer LPL Final, the players officially stated in an interview that Chris had resigned.

Chinese social media buzzed with rumors, which included a debate between LGD CEO Ruru and Qiao Gu manager Link0. To try to lend some clarity to the issues leading to his resignation, Chris posted an official statement on tieba, a Chinese forum.

In the statement, Chris described the events that lead to his cooperation with LGD and his eventual departure. He explained initially that he was coaching for LSPL team Newbee when the team's management and the three Chinese players approached him with the offer to join LGD Gaming. Chris' initial offer, he claims, was 100,000RMB (~15,600USD) to make the World Championship.

At the time, he told LGD that he wanted to help Newbee get into LPL first. When Newbee failed to place top two in LSPL Playoffs and autoqualify for LPL, Chris admitted he chose to abandon them in their crucial week playing in the LPL Promotion to join LGD in Week 11 of their regular season.

During the LPL Playoffs, Chris said he can't take too much credit. Everyone made an effort to qualify for the World Championship. Following the qualification, he went out drinking with a group of his friends to celebrate. During the night out, they discussed other coaching salaries.

Upon returning to the LGD house, Chris said he drunkenly discussed some inappropriate things about money with the players. In the morning, LGD's manager met with him and promised him 30,000RMB (~4,684USD) a month and told him he would be Yoon "Homme" Sung-young's assistant.

Not finding the offer to become Homme's assistant attractive since he would not receive primary credit for his work from fans or have the players not listen to him as much anymore, he refused. Chris claimed he cared less about the money, but wanted a chance to prove himself after what happened with Star Horn Royal Club.

Chris said he chose to remain quiet through the final, but seeing misleading comments on social media made him feel he had to say something. Neither side in the issue, he feels, is in the wrong, and he still wishes LGD Gaming luck at the 2015 World Championship.

LGD Gaming has made no statement of their own so far. At the 2015 LPL Summer final, their Taiwanese analyst, Huang "Firefox" Dingxiang served as the coach during picks and bans. Those close to the club have said he contributes to the players' draft strategy behind the scenes.

As for Homme, it's unclear if he will officially rejoin LGD Gaming. Earlier in the summer, the team officially announced he would become the co-coach of the team alongside Luo "BSYY" Sheng, but Vici Gaming provided a counteroffer, and he chose to return to them.

Now that Vici Gaming are no longer in the running for the 2015 World Championship, and they are temporarily without a head coach, Homme may choose to help LGD in their Worlds run, as Chris suggested, but it is as yet unconfirmed.

Kelsey Moser is a staff writer for theScore eSports. You can follow her on Twitter.