South Korea have appointed former Spain manager Robert Moreno as interim head coach as the national team looks to rebuild following a disastrous World Cup campaign and a series of controversies surrounding the Korea Football Association (KFA).
The 48-year-old Spaniard will initially take charge of South Korea's friendly matches across the September and October international windows, with the possibility of leading the team at the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia from 7 January to 5 February.
The KFA said Moreno's position for the Asian Cup would be "subject to an evaluation" of his performance during the upcoming friendlies.
South Korea have been without a permanent head coach since Hong Myung-bo resigned following the team's shock group-stage exit from the World Cup in North America in June.
Hong's departure failed to ease public anger over South Korea's disappointing campaign and intensified scrutiny surrounding his appointment in 2024.
Police raided KFA headquarters last month as part of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Hong's appointment.
The association has also apologised following allegations that it provided sexual entertainment for foreign referees, adding to the pressure surrounding South Korean football's governing body.
Moreno's first assignments will be home friendlies against Ecuador and Uruguay in September, followed by matches against Venezuela and Uzbekistan in October.
He would also remain in charge should South Korea arrange additional friendlies during the November international window.
According to the KFA, Moreno was selected following "an open recruitment process" and will become the first Spanish coach to manage South Korea.
Moreno previously took temporary charge of Spain in 2019 when Luis Enrique stepped away from the national team.
He was appointed on a permanent basis in June that year after Luis Enrique resigned following the diagnosis of his daughter Xana with a rare form of bone cancer.
Luis Enrique returned to the Spain job in November 2019 following his daughter's death, replacing Moreno. He subsequently accused Moreno of being "disloyal" for attempting to remain in charge ahead of Euro 2020.
Moreno later moved into club management, with spells at Monaco, Granada and Sochi.
Earlier this year, Moreno was forced to deny reports in Russian media claiming he had used artificial intelligence to prepare for matches while managing Sochi.
Moreno left the Russian top-flight club in September 2025 following a poor run of results.
In an open letter sent to Spanish newspaper Marca, Moreno strongly rejected claims that he had relied on ChatGPT or other AI tools to make footballing decisions.
He said technology had always formed part of his work, particularly through data and video analysis, but insisted that decisions regarding team selection, tactics and players were made by himself and his coaching staff.
Moreno will now have the opportunity to restore his reputation on the international stage while attempting to steady a South Korean side preparing for the Asian Cup.
