Facts, sources and official denials of a lie manufactured in three steps
In January 2026, a story went viral: “A football coach was fired for using ChatGPT to prepare matches and line-ups.” That story was about me.
The problem is that it is completely false. The data, the dates, the Russian media, and a direct witness all confirm it.
Who I am: necessary context
I am a football coach with a UEFA Pro licence. My career includes:
- 🇪🇸 Spain National Team Head Coach (2019): unbeaten Euro 2020 qualification.
- 🇲🇨 AS Monaco (Ligue 1)
- 🇪🇸 FC Barcelona (assistant coach): 9 titles, including 2015 Champions League.
- 🇷🇺 PFC Sochi: promotion to Russian Premier League (May 2025).
Anatomy of a lie: how the story was fabricated
Step 1: A disgruntled former executive
The former sporting director of FK Sochi gave an interview to Sport24.ru. He left the club on 30 June 2025. I left on 2 September 2025. He wasn’t there when I left.
The original Russian article never says I was fired for using ChatGPT.
Step 2: A US outlet invents a headline
beIN Sports USA changed the headline to: “Fired for using ChatGPT”. That is an editorial invention.
Step 3: The snowball effect
Reddit → viral meme → outlets worldwide copy without verification. None read the original Russian article. None contacted me.
What actually happened at FK Sochi
| Date | Fact |
|---|---|
| 2023 | I accepted the project. |
| May 2024 | Contract renewed until 2027. |
| May 2025 | Achieved promotion to the Russian Premier League. |
| Summer 2025 | Management restructured. |
| 2 Sep 2025 | Left by mutual agreement. |
They hired me. They renewed me. I got them promoted. We parted over results. ChatGPT played no part.
My own words on Russian television
MatchTV interviewed me directly. Watch the full interview here.
“Saying that ChatGPT determines tactics is absurd. We won that match in Khabarovsk 1-0.”
— Robert Moreno, MatchTV
“Artificial intelligence has no emotions. It will always remain just an assistant, never a replacement for a living person.”
— Robert Moreno, MatchTV
Conclusion
They hired me. They renewed me. I got them promoted.
I left over results, not over ChatGPT.
