South Korea interim coach Robert Moreno has denied reports that he relied on ChatGPT to prepare for matches during his previous coaching role, as he begins his tenure with the national team.
The former Spain coach was appointed on an interim basis following South Korea’s disappointing World Cup campaign and a series of controversies surrounding the Korea Football Association.
Moreno, 48, said on Monday that his immediate objective was to help restore confidence among South Korean supporters and make fans proud of the national team.
“We’re going to try to do our work honestly and with the aim of making all Korean football fans happy,” Moreno said.
He added that the team would focus on producing good performances while helping the players improve.
Moreno becomes the first Spaniard to coach South Korea and will oversee four friendly matches in the coming months.
South Korea are scheduled to face Ecuador and Uruguay in September before playing Venezuela and Uzbekistan in October.
The Korea Football Association said Moreno could remain in charge through the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia between January and February, subject to an evaluation of his performance.
Moreno Names Son Heung-min as Captain
Moreno included captain Son Heung-min in his first squad after the forward moved to Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC.
The squad also features Atletico Madrid midfielder Lee Kang-in and Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae.
Moreno said Son’s versatility would give him several tactical options, noting that the veteran forward could operate in three different positions.
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“We’re all aware of Son’s versatility. For me he can play in three positions,” he said.
Son’s treatment during South Korea’s World Cup campaign had previously generated criticism, particularly after former coach Hong Myung-bo left him on the bench for the first half of the decisive group-stage match against South Africa.
South Korea were subsequently eliminated in the group stage of the tournament in North America in June.
Hong resigned after the disappointing campaign, but his departure did not end questions surrounding his appointment.
Police raided the KFA headquarters last month as part of an investigation into the process that led to Hong’s appointment in 2024.
The football association has also faced scrutiny over allegations that it provided sexual entertainment for foreign referees and subsequently issued an apology over the claims.
Moreno Rejects ChatGPT Allegation
Moreno also addressed reports that he used ChatGPT extensively while managing Russian club Sochi.
The Spaniard left Sochi in September 2025 following a poor run of results. Reports at the time alleged that he had relied heavily on artificial intelligence, including using ChatGPT when considering potential player signings.
Moreno strongly rejected the reports, describing the allegations as false and saying they had been taken out of context.
“It’s a piece of news that is completely false and went viral,” he said.
The coach acknowledged that he uses technology in his work but denied that ChatGPT was being used in the manner suggested by the reports.
“Obviously I use technology,” Moreno said.
“Anyone who spends 10 minutes looking into it can see that everything has been taken out of context and put together to cause harm.”
Moreno will now attempt to move beyond the controversy as he prepares South Korea for its upcoming friendly matches and potentially the 2027 Asian Cup.
His immediate challenge will be to rebuild confidence around the national team after a turbulent period both on and off the pitch.