Real Sociedad’s President, Jokin Aperribay, has confessed to using ChatGPT to gauge the suitability of Pellegrino Matarazzo as their new manager. The club brought in Matarazzo in December, a move that significantly altered the trajectory of their season, culminating in their fourth Copa del Rey title on Saturday.
The team was met with immense fanfare on Monday, with approximately 100,000 supporters lining the streets to celebrate their Copa del Rey triumph. This joyous scene starkly contrasted with the atmosphere in Donostia-San Sebastian at the time of Matarazzo’s appointment, when La Real were precariously positioned just two points above the relegation zone and facing a genuine threat of demotion. The decision to hire the former Stuttgart manager was viewed as a gamble, particularly as he did not speak the local language and had no prior experience managing in Spain.
Aperribay Sought AI’s Opinion on Matarazzo
In an interview with Cadena SER on Monday evening, Aperribay acknowledged that, like many in Spain, he was not previously familiar with Matarazzo’s coaching credentials.
“Erik [Bretos, Sporting Director] informed me about Matarazzo, and I posed the question to ChatGPT: ‘Is he a good coach for Real Sociedad?’ The response was negative,” he admitted with a laugh. “Fortunately, I placed my trust in Erik.”
Previously, Aperribay has stated that his primary contribution to the hiring decision was his willingness to listen to Matarazzo during their discussions and his faith in Sporting Director Erik Bretos.
“I didn’t know him, but he impressed me during our initial meeting due to his comprehensive knowledge of players and teams. He presented a remarkable analysis of Real Sociedad,” Aperribay elaborated, noting that the final decision was made after their fifth meeting with Matarazzo.
‘He Made a Strong Impact from the Outset’
Carlos Soler and Pablo Marin, both of whom successfully converted penalties in the shootout against Atletico Madrid, were also present for the Cadena SER interview. Soler spoke about the personal influence Matarazzo had on him.
“That’s the essence of football: a coach who might not have been widely recognized in Spain, but from the moment he arrived, he clearly communicated his vision. He told me he believed I would become a crucial player, and when you receive that level of confidence, I personally perform better. He has instilled confidence in the entire squad and has managed to bring out the best in everyone simultaneously.”
Marin, in turn, lauded Matarazzo’s coaching approach and the shift in mentality he inspired.
“He’s made an excellent impression in the dressing room right from the start. We’ve embraced his working methods and his understanding of the game. Matarazzo brought about a significant transformation that we initially thought would be challenging at the season’s outset, and that’s a highly commendable accomplishment.”
Already a celebrated figure in Gipuzkoa, Matarazzo further endeared himself to the local community during the celebrations by delivering a speech in Basque from the city hall balcony. In his 19 matches at the helm so far, Matarazzo has only experienced three defeats.
