Robert Moreno has officially taken the helm as South Korea’s interim head coach, marking a fresh start for a national team recently rocked by a disastrous World Cup performance and administrative turmoil. During his introductory press conference on Monday, the 48-year-old Spaniard—the first to hold the position—vowed to work with integrity to restore joy to the nation’s supporters.
Addressing the media, Moreno wasted no time in refuting viral allegations that he had relied on artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, to guide his tactical decisions during his stint with the Russian club, Sochi. Moreno left that role in September 2025 following a string of poor results, and critics had claimed he used the technology to influence team selection and signings. He dismissed these reports as entirely false, noting that anyone examining the situation objectively would see it was a coordinated effort to misrepresent his methods.
While Moreno admitted he does use technology in his professional work, he emphasized that his actual coaching processes were being taken out of context. He expressed his commitment to the South Korean squad, stating he aims to deliver quality performances and provide meaningful support to his players.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) has confirmed that Moreno’s tenure is initially set for upcoming friendly matches, with a potential extension through the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia this coming January and February, provided he clears a performance evaluation. Moreno’s immediate schedule includes friendlies against Ecuador and Uruguay in September, followed by fixtures against Uzbekistan and Venezuela in October.
His appointment follows the resignation of Hong Myung-bo, who stepped down after a shock group-stage exit at the World Cup in North America this past June. Hong’s exit did not fully satisfy public anger regarding the team’s failed campaign or the suspicious circumstances surrounding his own hiring. The KFA remains under intense scrutiny, with police raiding their headquarters last month to investigate that 2024 appointment, alongside a separate public apology issued by the federation regarding allegations of providing sexual entertainment for foreign referees.
Looking toward his first matches, Moreno has named captain Son Heung-min in his squad, alongside prominent stars Lee Kang-in of Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae. Addressing concerns over player utilization, Moreno spoke directly to Son’s tactical flexibility. The new coach dismissed the confusion from the World Cup, where Son was benched during a critical loss to South Africa, by asserting that he views the Los Angeles FC star as a versatile asset capable of playing in three different positions. The report also notes that during which on-field results and off-field controversies left the fans bitterly disappointed, the Spaniard was appointed as the Asian giants’ temporary coach following a disastrous few months for the team and the country’s football federation. The report also notes that “Good matches, and trying to help the players.”.
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