A Spanish football coach has reportedly lost his job at Russian club FC Sochi due to an alleged over-reliance on the artificial intelligence platform, ChatGPT. The unusual situation has sparked debate about the role of AI in professional sports.
Reports suggest that Robert Moreno, the former coach of Sochi, was dismissed after a string of poor results. The team managed only one point in seven matches, leading to his departure last September. The reason cited by some quarters is linked to Moreno’s purported heavy dependence on ChatGPT for making tactical decisions.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the coach’s methods raised eyebrows among players and management. Former Sochi sporting director Andrei Orlov claimed that Moreno was “very fond” of ChatGPT and used it to plan training sessions and make decisions that were deemed “illogical.”
Orlov recounted a specific incident during a trip to Khabarovsk. He alleged that Moreno, following AI’s suggestion, ordered players to train at 7 AM two days before a match and to stay awake for 28 consecutive hours. This generated considerable anger within the team and fueled questions about the coaching staff’s approach.
Furthermore, the former sporting director stated that Moreno even used AI to identify potential new signings. This practice intensified criticism, especially as the team’s performance declined and they were relegated from the Russian Premier League.
However, Moreno has vehemently denied the accusations. In statements given to Spanish newspaper AS, he dismissed the claims as “inaccurate information” originating from a former official who had left the club before his own departure. He called the allegations baseless and without proof.
The incident highlights the growing discussion and concerns surrounding the integration of AI in football, raising questions about its ethical and practical implications.
