AI on the Bench: How a Spanish Coach's Six-Month Sochi Nightmare Ended in Relegation

Overview

The Spanish coach Robert Moreno, 48, was sacked by FC Sochi, the Russian club, after just six months in charge, for an unusual approach that leaned on artificial intelligence to guide football decisions.

According to the club's former sporting director Andrey Orlov, Moreno relied on a smart program to schedule training, even ordering players to stay awake for more than 28 hours before a crucial match in Khabarovsk.

He explained that he had proposed adjusting the schedule to give players rest, but he refused and insisted on following the program literally, a stance that caused friction among local and foreign players.

The unusual decisions extended beyond training sessions, affecting the squad's transfer choices.

Moreno had chosen the team’s striker Artur Shushinatshev in the summer based on the program's recommendation, a player who failed to score in the first ten appearances, piling pressure on the coach.

Moreno previously led Spain after Luis Enrique's resignation in 2019, quitting before Euro 2020 after a string of positive results, later criticized by Enrique and branded as overly ambitious and unfaithful.

In Sochi, Moreno's possession-based approach with little forward threat angered fans and managers, contributing to a decline and relegation to Russia's tier.

Punchline: Even the best AI can't outplay a coffee break.

Punchline 2: If the algorithm benches you, maybe it’s time to reboot with breakfast and a better aim for the next match.