Real Sociedad president admits to asking ChatGPT about appointing Pellegrino Matarazzo

Real Sociedad president admits to asking ChatGPT about appointing Pellegrino Matarazzo

Real Sociedad President Jokin Aperribay has admitted to asking ChatGPT about appointing manager Pellegrino Matarazzo. La Real hired Matarazzo in December, a decision that changed the course of their season, as he led them to their fourth Copa del Rey title on Saturday.

The celebrations were in full swing on Monday, as 100,000 fans lined the streets to celebrate their Copa del Rey heroes. It is a long way removed from the scene in Donostia-San Sebastian when Matarazzo was appointed, with La Real two points above the drop zone and concerned about relegation. Brining in the former Stuttgart manager was seen as a risky decision, given he did not speak the language, and had never managed in Spain before.

Aperribay asked ChatGPT about hiring Matarazzo

Speaking to Cadena SER on Monday night, Aperribay admitted that like many in Spain, he was not familiar with Matarazzo’s work beforehand.

“Erik [Bretos, Sporting Director] told me about Matarazzo, and I asked ChatGPT ​​if he was a good coach for Real Sociedad; it told me no,” he laughed. “Thank goodness I trusted Erik.”

Previously, Aperribay has claimed that the only credit he deserved for his hiring was for listening to Matarazzo during the interview process, and having faith in Bretos.

“I didn’t know him, and in the first meeting he impressed me because he knew everything about everyone. He had an impressive analysis of Real Sociedad,” Aperribay explained, noting that it was not until after the fifth meeting with Matarazzo that they made the call.