Robert Moreno named interim South Korea
The Korea Football Association has appointed Spaniard Robert Moreno as interim head coach of the men's national team.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) has appointed Spanish coach Robert Moreno as the temporary head coach of the South Korean men's national football team. The 48-year-old former Spain national team boss takes over a squad reeling from a shocking group-stage exit at the FIFA World Cup about two months ago.
When announcing the hiring on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, the KFA stated it wanted Moreno to do more than just win matches. The association specifically said it wanted him to "change the mood of the national team." This follows the resignation of previous coach Hong Myung-bo, who stepped down to hold himself accountable for the World Cup failure.
A Response to Past Criticism
Hong Myung-bo's original hiring in July 2024 had been unpopular, with critics accusing the KFA of an unfair and opaque selection process. He was often booed by home fans before and after matches, and the early World Cup elimination ended his tenure. Mindful of this public criticism, the KFA conducted an open recruitment process this summer, accepting applications before finalizing talks with Moreno and his staff over the weekend.
The KFA chose not to hire a permanent replacement immediately. With the first post-World Cup match window opening in September, the association opted for a caretaker manager to hold the fort for the coming months. Moreno's immediate challenge is to prepare the squad for a packed schedule of fixtures.
The Upcoming Fixture Schedule
South Korea faces a series of friendly matches in the near future, which represent a crucial chance to rebuild fan confidence. The team's performance in these games will be closely watched, as showing more fight than they did at the World Cup is seen as vital for restoring faith. The national team's scheduled matches under Moreno are as follows:
| Opponent | Date |
|---|---|
| Ecuador | Sept. 24 |
| Uruguay | Sept. 28 |
| Venezuela | Oct. 2 |
| Uzbekistan | Oct. 6 |
Two further matches are scheduled for the next FIFA window from November 9 to 17, making six matches in total before his initial contract ends.
Future Prospects and the Asian Cup
Moreno's contract runs through November 27. The KFA's plan is to have a full-time head coach in place before the end of the year, ahead of the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia this January. However, the KFA stated that Moreno will be given a chance to stay on through the Asian Cup. This opportunity depends entirely on South Korea's performance and stats in his first six matches in charge. Strong results would not only help the team's standings in future competitions but also help Moreno's own cause for a longer stay.
The interim period begins with a home match against Ecuador on September 24. After the November matches, the evaluation will begin, with the KFA hoping the new leadership can change the team's mood and trajectory.
