Former Spain manager fired for abusing ChatGPT - although he tells a very different story

Robert Moreno’s story at Sochi ended sooner than expected. It was in September that the Russian club announced the departure of the Spanish coach, who had begun his adventure in the Russian Premier League in December 2023. Moreno experienced everything during his time in Russia – relegation, an immediate promotion and even a spell in hospital.

A few days ago, news broke in Russia that Moreno, the former Spain head coach, had been a regular user of ChatGPT. More details then emerged about the possible reasons behind his exit from Sochi. Andrei Orlov, the club’s former general director, accused him of relying on artificial intelligence during his months in charge.

According to the Russian executive, Moreno used it to set his starting lineups, decide when to substitute players and even to apply techniques such as waking the squad at 5 a.m. He also turned to AI to plan travel, with one itinerary for a trip to Khabarovsk reportedly leaving players without sleep for 28 hours. “I asked him: ‘Robert, everything looks great, but when are the guys supposed to sleep?’” Orlov admitted.

Moreno also allegedly consulted ChatGPT to look for a No 9 on the transfer market. The club signed Kazakhstan striker Artur Shushenachev, but the move failed to deliver the expected results. “For Moreno, ChatGPT became one of his main working tools,” Orlov lamented.

Moreno’s response: “It is completely false…”

The Spaniard spoke to us at AS to give his version of events, firmly denying the accusations.

He first argued that Andrei Orlov left FC Sochi before he did and therefore does not know the reality of the situation. “The source of this information is a former club executive with whom there were professional disagreements that ended with his departure. There is no official statement from FC Sochi confirming this version.”

He explained that his use of ChatGPT was limited to translating from Spanish into Russian, “as everyone does,” and clarified, lastly, that it was not a dismissal but a mutual agreement with the club’s board following poor results.

“I have never used ChatGPT or any AI to prepare games, decide lineups or choose players. That is completely false. On a few isolated occasions, I did use it for translations between Russian and Spanish, which is a language I do not master. But that has nothing to do with sporting decisions,” he told us.

“The signing they are referring to was a club process agreed with the sporting director and the entire medical staff. The player scored in the Cup and then suffered an injury that affected his continuity, as happens at any club. I did not know the Kazakhstan market, so the proposal came from the Sporting Department.”

Finally, Moreno argued: “My career in football began precisely with data and video analysis. It is my specialization and what made the difference early on. Like any professional coaching staff, we use analytical tools – GPS, Wyscout, video, scouting platforms. Technology helps process information faster, but sporting decisions are always made by the coaching staff.”

The reality is that Robert Moreno left his post on September 1, 2025, with Sochi bottom of the Russian league after seven games. Now 48, Moreno is still waiting for a new opportunity on the sidelines.

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