Reports from Russia claim ex-Spain boss Robert Moreno relied on ChatGPT for tactics, training plans and signings during his ill-fated spell at Sochi
Former Spain national team head coach Robert Moreno was reportedly dismissed from FC Sochi after relying heavily on ChatGPT for team selections, training programmes and transfer decisions, according to claims made by a former senior club official.
The revelations were made by Andrey Orlov, Sochi’s former deputy managing director, who spoke publicly months after leaving the club.
Orlov alleges that Moreno actively used artificial intelligence as a core part of his coaching process, including drawing up starting line-ups and identifying potential signings, a strategy that ultimately proved unsuccessful as Sochi were relegated from the Russian Premier League in the 2023/24 season.
Moreno was appointed by Sochi in December 2023, initially presenting himself, according to Orlov, as a highly prepared and modern coach capable of steering the club out of crisis. However, results deteriorated sharply, with Sochi eventually being relegated.
In August 2025, with the club rooted to the bottom of the table following a poor start to the new season, Sochi terminated Moreno’s contract. Orlov’s comments have since added a controversial new layer to the circumstances surrounding his departure.
Players were recommended to stay awake for 28 hours
One of the most shocking claims was about one of Moreno’s training plans, that was allegedly generated by ChatGPT ahead of an away match in the First Division against SKA Khabarovsk.
According to Orlov, Moreno used the chatbot to design a detailed schedule that required players to remain awake for 28 consecutive hours.
“I asked him, ‘Robert, that’s all great, but when will the guys sleep?’” Orlov recalled in an interview with Sports.ru. Moreno reportedly adjusted the parameters, after which the chatbot updated the presentation. “In the end, we followed the programme created by ChatGPT,” Orlov said.
The former executive also claimed the technology was used in recruitment decisions. ChatGPT allegedly recommended signing Kazakh forward Artur Shushenachev, a move that failed to deliver results, with the player scoring just one goal during his time at the club.
Moreno’s tenure at Sochi was turbulent. While he oversaw an initial relegation from the Russian Premier League, he later guided the club back to the top flight. That success, however, proved short-lived as performances collapsed the following season.
From Luis Enrique’s right-hand man to national team head coach
The situation marks a dramatic fall for a coach once regarded as one of Spain’s most promising tacticians. Moreno rose to prominence as Luis Enrique’s assistant at Celta Vigo, Barcelona and the Spain national team, before stepping in as Spain head coach in 2019. During that period, Spain remained unbeaten in eight matches under his leadership.
But things fell apart after Luis Enrique was about to return following a break on compassionate leave – Moreno reportedly insisted on remaining in charge, something that the current Paris Saint-Germain coach perceived as a betrayal. In the end, Luis Enrique retook the reigns while Moreno was left to find a new job elsewhere.
Moreno went on to have spells as head coach at AS Monaco and Granada, before the ill-fated move to Russia that has now sparked these incredible allegations of his reliance on artificial intelligence.