South Korea Names Former Spain Coach Robert Moreno as Interim Manager After World Cup Setback
The Korea Football Association (KFA) has appointed former Spain head coach Robert Moreno as the interim manager following a disappointing exit from the World Cup group stage. Moreno, aged 48, steps in after Hong Myung-bo resigned amid the fallout from South Korea’s poor performance in North America this June.
This marks the first time a Spanish coach leads South Korea's national team. Moreno’s contract may be extended for the upcoming Asian Cup, depending on how the team performs under his guidance.
Background and Challenges Facing the KFA
Moreno's arrival comes at a turbulent time for Korean football. The KFA was recently rocked by police raids related to controversies around Hong’s 2024 hiring and allegations involving inappropriate entertainment provided to foreign referees, which led to a public apology from the association.
Moreno's Coaching Journey and Reputation
Before this role, Moreno served as an assistant to Luis Enrique with the Spanish national team, stepping up in 2019 when Enrique temporarily stepped down due to family reasons. Their professional relationship later became strained when Enrique returned ahead of Euro 2020, accusing Moreno of disloyalty.
Aside from national teams, Moreno managed clubs like Monaco and Granada. He recently faced accusations from Russian media about using artificial intelligence tools during his time managing Sochi before leaving in September 2025. Moreno firmly denied these claims in a letter to Marca, stating he never used AI such as ChatGPT to prepare matches or select players, emphasizing that decisions were always made collaboratively with his coaching staff.
Upcoming Matches and Future Prospects
Moreno’s immediate focus will be on home friendlies against Ecuador and Uruguay in September, followed by games against Venezuela and Uzbekistan in October. Additional fixtures might be arranged for November.
The KFA has confirmed that Moreno could continue leading the team into the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, scheduled from January 7 to February 5, contingent on his performance during these preparatory matches. These games offer a chance to rebuild confidence in the team and regain trust from fans.
- Interim coach: Robert Moreno
- Preceding coach: Hong Myung-bo (resigned post-World Cup)
- Recent controversies: Police raids on KFA, sexual entertainment allegations
- Upcoming friendlies: Ecuador, Uruguay, Venezuela, Uzbekistan
- Asian Cup dates: January 7 - February 5, Saudi Arabia
