Robert Moreno appointed interim South Korea manager after 2026 World Cup exit

South Korea have appointed former Spain manager Robert Moreno as their interim head coach following the resignation of Hong Myung-bo after the national team’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup.

The South Korean Football Association announced the appointment on Tuesday, with Moreno taking charge of the side for the next two international windows in September and November.

The 48-year-old Spaniard is expected to oversee six matches during that period. His temporary spell could also be extended until the 2027 Asian Cup, which is scheduled to take place in January next year.

Moreno’s first match in charge will be against Ecuador on 24 September, when he will begin the process of preparing South Korea for the next stage of their international programme.

His appointment follows the departure of Hong Myung-bo, who stepped down after South Korea’s World Cup campaign ended in the summer of 2026. Moreno has been brought in on a short-term basis while the federation considers the team’s next permanent coaching arrangement.

Moreno previously led Spain on an interim basis in 2019, when Luis Enrique stepped away from his role with La Roja for family reasons connected to the illness and death of his child.

He subsequently moved into club management, taking charge of French side Monaco and Spanish club Granada. His most recent coaching position was with Russian team Sochi, whom he left in August last year.

The South Korea role represents Moreno’s return to international management after his brief period with Spain. His immediate schedule will begin with the Ecuador fixture on 24 September, followed by further matches during the September and November international breaks.

The South Korean federation’s decision gives Moreno the opportunity to work with the national team across six games before a decision is made on whether to prolong his mandate. If extended, his tenure could run through the 2027 Asian Cup in January.

Moreno has experience of stepping into a national-team role during a period of uncertainty, having taken temporary control of Spain in 2019. He will now face a similar short-term assignment with South Korea after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup and Hong Myung-bo’s resignation.

For the moment, his confirmed responsibility is limited to the upcoming fixtures in September and November, beginning with the meeting with Ecuador later this month.