Robert Moreno, 48, has been appointed as the interim manager of the South Korea men's national football team on September 1. He fills the vacancy left by Hong Myung-bo, who resigned on June 28.
Moreno stated, "I will take charge of South Korea's next six international matches." His contract runs through November 27, during which he will lead the team in six matches scheduled from September to November. The Taegeuk Warriors currently sit 3rd in their World Cup group with 3 points from 3 games (1 win, 0 draws, 2 losses). Their recent form shows 3 wins and 2 losses (LLWWW) from the last five outings, including two consecutive defeats.
Why an interim manager now
Former manager Hong Myung-bo resigned after South Korea failed to advance from the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hong said, "I took full responsibility for the result." The team beat Czechia 2-1 but lost 1-0 to both Mexico and South Africa, finishing third in their group. They now trail group leaders Mexico by 6 points. The team's goal tally for the season stands at 2 scored and 3 conceded, for a -1 goal difference. Hong Myung-bo was appointed in July 2024 following a five-month search after Jurgen Klinsmann's departure, but his appointment was mired in controversy over allegations of favoritism and lack of transparency.
Structural issues at the KFA
An audit by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism found procedural violations in the appointments of both Hong Myung-bo and Jurgen Klinsmann. The audit identified 27 cases of improper or unlawful practices within the Korea Football Association (KFA) and called for disciplinary action against senior officials. Consequently, Hong Myung-bo and former KFA president Chung Mong-gyu were summoned to a National Assembly hearing on July 30. Furthermore, police raided KFA offices in Cheonan and Seoul on August 6 as part of an investigation into allegations of improper intervention in Hong's appointment. The KFA's headquarters, the Korea Football Park, is located in Cheonan, about 90 kilometers south of Seoul.
Moreno's mandate and schedule
Robert Moreno's first task is to prepare for a run of four consecutive home matches in September and October. South Korea is scheduled to host Ecuador on September 24, Uruguay on September 28, Venezuela on October 2, and Uzbekistan on October 6 in friendly matches. The KFA is seeking to arrange two more fixtures during the FIFA international window from November 9 to 17. Fans can check the team's upcoming schedule on our fixtures page.
The new manager's background
The Spanish coach has prior experience managing a national team, having led Spain for nine matches in 2019 when Luis Enrique stepped away. Moreno has previously managed AS Monaco, Granada, and FC Sochi. He also worked as a scout for FC Barcelona and served as an assistant to Luis Enrique at AS Roma, Celta Vigo, and Barcelona. It will be watched closely how the team reorganizes under his leadership. The current player pool can be reviewed on our squad page.
Moreno's first official match in charge will be a friendly against Ecuador at home on September 24, 2026.
