In a football world that is increasingly relying on artificial intelligence for training management, nutrition, rest, and especially in scouting operations, through algorithms capable of analyzing the characteristics of ideal coaches and players, there are still those who trust another type of experience. This is what happened to Jokin Aperribay, president of Real Sociedad, who before choosing a new coach, the replacement for the dismissed Imanol Alguacil, consulted an AI. He recounted this himself during an interview with Cadena Ser: the club’s sporting director, Erik Bretos, was pushing for the appointment of Pellegrino Matarazzo, and in response, he consulted artificial intelligence. “Erik suggested Matarazzo to me,” Aperribay explained, “and I asked the AI if he was a good coach for Real Sociedad: it said no. Fortunately, I trusted Erik!”.
Matarazzo, who grew up in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and is the son of Italian immigrants, had already coached Stuttgart and Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga, but before arriving at Real Sociedad, he had no experience in Spanish football. “I didn’t know him, and at our first meeting, I was impressed because he knew everything about everyone,” Aperribay said regarding the appointment. “He had prepared an incredible analysis of Real Sociedad.” The point is that the same artificial intelligence later corrected its position. After Real Sociedad actually hired Matarazzo and eliminated their Basque rivals Athletic Club in the cup semifinals, Aperribay recounted that he asked the AI again if the American coach was suitable for the club. The response: “It told me it was an excellent choice!”. It’s obvious, then, that he changed his mind based on the results.
Indeed, it makes sense: when Matarazzo was appointed, Real Sociedad had only collected 17 points in the first 17 league matches and was in the lower part of the La Liga standings. Since the change on the bench, the Basque team has gained 25 points in the following 14 matches and is now seventh in the standings with seven games still to play — four points behind fifth-placed Real Betis, with a possible qualification for the Champions League next season. And then, of course, Matarazzo brought the Copa del Rey back to San Sebastián after four years, winning one of the most complicated finals in recent years against Atletico Madrid. Not bad for someone who, a few months ago, was even snubbed by the AI.