South Korea Appoints Robert Moreno as Interim Football Coach

The Korea Football Association has appointed former Spain head coach Robert Moreno as the interim manager of the South Korean men's national team, tasking him with stabilizing the squad and restoring public confidence following a turbulent period that included a disappointing World Cup exit and leadership controversies. The announcement was made on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

Moreno, 48, will lead the team for six matches across the September and November international windows. His contract runs through November 27, but the KFA indicated he could be given the opportunity to extend his tenure through the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, which begins in January, depending on the team's performance. The association stated that a permanent head coach is expected to be appointed before the end of the year.

The appointment comes after a summer of upheaval for South Korean football. The head coach position became vacant when Hong Myung-bo resigned in late June following the team's group-stage elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Public anger over Hong's initial hiring in 2024 intensified after the World Cup, leading both Hong and then-KFA president Chung Mong-gyu to step down. Both...