South Korea interim coach Robert Moreno has again denied reports that he relied on ChatGPT or other artificial intelligence tools to prepare for matches, select players or make tactical decisions during his previous coaching jobs.
Moreno addressed the controversy on Monday as he unveiled his first squad since taking charge of the South Korean national team. The Spaniard was appointed interim coach in August following South Korea’s disappointing World Cup campaign.
The controversy dates back to Moreno’s time at Russian club Sochi, where reports emerged alleging that he had relied heavily on artificial intelligence in his coaching work. Some claims suggested that AI had been used in areas including team selection and recruitment.
Moreno strongly rejected those reports, saying they were taken out of context and exaggerated.
“If you verify facts, you will see that much of what was reported was taken out of context and blown out of proportion,” Moreno said while speaking to reporters in South Korea.
The 48-year-old acknowledged that he uses technology in football but insisted that important sporting decisions remain the responsibility of the coaching staff.
He has previously stated that he never used ChatGPT or AI to prepare matches, determine line-ups or select players. Moreno explained that his professional background is rooted in data and video analysis, with conventional football technology forming part of his coaching process.
Since taking charge of South Korea, Moreno has already demonstrated his analytical approach. He said his staff studied data on around 1,700 Korean players before selecting his first 30-man squad. He also opted for a 4-4-2 formation after analysing K League matches from the previous two years.
Moreno is under pressure to restore confidence in the South Korean national team after the side exited the 2026 World Cup at the group stage.
His first matches will include friendlies against Ecuador and Uruguay in September, followed by fixtures against Venezuela and Uzbekistan in October. Two additional matches are also being considered for November.
The coach has been given a contract through November, with the Korea Football Association expected to assess his performance before deciding whether he should remain in charge for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Moreno has also declined to publicly criticise his predecessor, Hong Myung-bo, saying the national team should learn from its World Cup experience and focus on creating the right conditions for players to perform.
As he begins his tenure, Moreno will hope that results on the pitch will shift attention away from the AI controversy and towards his plans for rebuilding South Korea ahead of the Asian Cup.
