The world of professional soccer is confronting a novel employment dispute, as former FC Sochi manager Roberto Moreno was reportedly dismissed after relying heavily on artificial intelligence for coaching decisions[[1]], [[2]], [[3]]. Details emerging this week allege the Spanish coach used *ChatGPT* to inform tactics, lineups, and even player travel, leading to discontent within the team and ultimately, his departure in august 2025[[1]]. While Moreno acknowledges using the AI for translation assistance,he denies it dictated sporting decisions,setting the stage for a dispute over the role of artificial intelligence in professional sports[[3]].
A first-of-its-kind dismissal has rocked the world of soccer: a manager has been fired for relying on artificial intelligence (AI), specifically the app ChatGPT, to make key decisions.
Roberto Moreno, who managed the Spanish national team in 2019, was let go by Russian club Sochi in August of last year, though details surrounding his departure were only recently revealed.
Andrei Orlov, former General Director of Sochi, alleges that Moreno routinely used AI during his 20 months with the club.
According to Orlov, the 48-year-old Spanish coach utilized ChatGPT to determine team lineups and implement unusual tactics, such as waking players up at 5 a.m. He also used the AI to plan team travel arrangements.
On at least one occasion, an AI-generated travel schedule left players sleep-deprived for 28 hours. “I asked him, ‘Robert, everything looks great, but when will the guys sleep?’”, Orlov confessed.
Moreno is also accused of using AI to sign forward Artur Shushenachev, a Kazakh player who scored just two goals in 13 appearances before leaving the club after one year.
Roberto Moreno Admits to Using ChatGPT, But…
Moreno responded to Orlov’s accusations, stating his dismissal was a mutual agreement reached with club leadership following poor results. While acknowledging he used AI during his time at Sochi, he clarified it was solely for translation purposes.
“I have never used ChatGPT or any AI to prepare for matches, decide lineups, or choose players. That is completely false. What I did do on occasion was use it for translations between Russian and Spanish, which is a language I don’t master. But that has nothing to do with sporting decisions,” Moreno explained to AS.
Regarding the player signing, Moreno said: “It was a club process agreed upon 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 in any team. But I didn’t know the Kazakh market, so the proposal came from the sporting director.”
Roberto Moreno has been without a club since leaving Sochi. The Spaniard previously coached Granada and Mónaco, and spent over a decade as an assistant to Luis Enrique at Barcelona, Roma, Celta de Vigo, and the Spanish national team.
