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South Korea coach Moreno denies 'extreme' ChatGPT claims

3 hours ago

New South Korea interim boss Robert Moreno calls reports of heavy AI reliance at Sochi false, names first squad with Son Heung-min as captain.

Robert Moreno used his first news conference as South Korea's interim head coach to reject reports that he leaned excessively on artificial intelligence during his previous job at Russian club Sochi. Speaking in Cheonan on Monday, the 48-year-old Spaniard described the accounts as untrue and said his approach had been misrepresented.

Moreno was appointed in August on a deal that runs to the end of November. The Korea Football Association can prolong the agreement through the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia in January and February, though any extension would depend on an assessment of his results. He is the first Spanish coach to lead South Korea, and previously managed Spain across nine matches in 2009.

The AI dispute traces back to his exit from Sochi, where he was let go in September 2025 after a weak start to the campaign. Moreno had joined the Russian Premier League side on December 15, 2023, with the team sitting last in the standings. He departed by mutual agreement on September 2, 2025, after Sochi took a single point from the opening seven fixtures of the season. Across his tenure he recorded 22 victories, 17 draws and 23 losses.

After he left, Sochi's former sporting and general director, Andrei Orlov, alleged that the coach had leaned on ChatGPT to an unusual degree. Club officials claimed the software shaped decisions ranging from training plans and scouting targets to team selection and logistics. One cited case involved a trip to Khabarovsk, where an AI-produced schedule was said to have suggested keeping players awake for 28 hours straight. Another claim concerned advice about striker Artur Shushenachev, adding to the picture of a tool that had allegedly crossed into central sporting choices.

Moreno pushed back firmly. "It was a piece of news that is completely false and went viral," he said. He did not deny using digital tools but argued that his working methods had been twisted. "Obviously I use technology," he added. "If you verify facts, you will see that much of what was reported was taken out of context and blown out of proportion." He went further, saying: "Anyone who spends 10 minutes looking into it can see that everything has been taken out of context and put together to cause harm."

Son Heung-min keeps captaincy

With the controversy addressed, Moreno turned to the task of steadying a national side low on morale. His opening squad keeps Son Heung-min as captain. The 34-year-old, now playing for LAFC, stays at the heart of a team trying to move past a poor World Cup. Moreno praised the forward's adaptability, saying: "We're all aware of Son's versatility. For me he can play in three positions."

The coach also pledged a better experience for the country's fans. "We're going to try to do our work honestly and with the aim of making all Korean football fans happy," he said. His first test comes on September 24 against Ecuador, the start of a run of friendlies.

Moreno took over from Hong Myung-bo, who quit after South Korea went out at the group stage of the World Cup. Hong's hiring in 2024 had already angered supporters, and the tournament exit sharpened the criticism.

Turmoil at the KFA

The federation has been through a rough stretch off the pitch. In July, Hong appeared before lawmakers at a parliamentary hearing alongside Chung Mong-gyu, the former Korea Football Association chief. Police searched the KFA's offices in August. The body also issued an apology after a leaked government audit stated it had arranged "sexual entertainment" for visiting referees in 2011 and 2012.

Moreno said he would not offer a public verdict on his predecessor, even after examining South Korea's recent matches in detail. "I have studied World Cup matches and players inside out but I think it is inappropriate to publicly evaluate my predecessor," he said. He framed the setbacks as material to build on: "It is important to use whatever happened in the past as a learning opportunity. What is clear is that when you lose, many problems surface. But when you win, they fade away."

Moreno has six games in his initial spell. Beyond Ecuador, South Korea are set to meet Uruguay, Venezuela and Uzbekistan, plus two further opponents still to be confirmed, as the team builds towards the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Robert Moreno, South Korea national football team, Son Heung-min, ChatGPT football, Sochi, Korea Football Association, interim coach, Asian Cup

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