Overview
- Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay said he asked ChatGPT about appointing Pellegrino Matarazzo, and he instead trusted sporting director Erik Bretos after the tool advised against it.
- Matarazzo led La Real to the Copa del Rey by defeating Atlético Madrid on penalties, becoming the first American to win a major European trophy as a head coach.
- Celebrations in San Sebastián filled the streets as an estimated 100,000 fans turned out, and Matarazzo addressed supporters from the town hall balcony in Basque.
- Players Carlos Soler and Pablo Marín praised the manager for clear ideas and renewed confidence, saying he lifted performances across the squad.
- The turnaround under Matarazzo includes a run of 19 games with only three losses, after he took over a team that had been close to the relegation places.