28.01.2026 15:42
FC Sochi's head coach Robert Moreno was dismissed due to his excessive use of artificial intelligence in training, transfers, and match planning, his preparation of programs that deprived players of 28 hours of sleep, and the deterioration of on-field results.
The Russian club FC Sochi has terminated the contract of head coach Robert Moreno. The 48-year-old coach's reliance on AI-supported systems for making critical decisions, from training planning to transfers, has caused serious discomfort within the club.
PLAYERS WERE KEPT AWAKE FOR 28 HOURS
Statements made by the club's former sporting director Andrei Orlov to Sports Russia revealed the extent of the situation. It was reported that before the away match against FC SKA Khabarovsk in March, Moreno prepared the travel and training schedule with the help of ChatGPT. As a result of this planning, it was claimed that the players were unable to sleep for approximately 28 hours.
Orlov stated, "When I reviewed the program, I saw that the players hadn't slept for 28 hours. They had to wake up at 5 AM and train at 7 AM. The players couldn't understand the reason for this."
TRANSFERS WERE ALSO DECIDED BY AI
It was reported that Moreno not only left daily schedules to AI but also transfer preferences. According to the analyses of ChatGPT, Kazakh forward Artur Shushenachev, who joined the squad, did not score in the 10 matches he played for Sochi and was sent away from the team after one season.
LOSS OF CONFIDENCE IN THE LOCKER ROOM
Orlov noted that Moreno struggled to empathize and had lost his connection with the players. It was expressed that the Russian core was dissatisfied with the coach, and foreign players gradually lost their trust in Moreno's decisions over time.
RESULTS ON THE FIELD WERE ALSO POOR
In his last season, Moreno managed to collect only 1 point in the 7 matches he led the team in the Russian Premier League. Following this performance, the club management parted ways with him.