Spanish Media Reacts to "New South Korea Coach" Amid Controversy Over Three Straight Sacks

The appointment of Roberto Moreno as the interim head coach of the South Korean national football team has sparked controversy in Spain.

Spanish outlet OK Diario reported yesterday (Sept. 1) that "Moreno has become a national team coach again, having signed with South Korea."

The outlet added, "Moreno is stepping onto a new stage after failing to achieve success with AS Monaco, Granada, and Russia's FC Sochi," calling it an "unexpected return."

Moreno entered the coaching path early without a career as a professional player and built his coaching experience under Luis Enrique, who is considered a top coach in Europe.

He enjoyed a successful run under Enrique.

After passing through Celta Vigo and AS Roma, he joined FC Barcelona in 2014, and by 2017, he even served as the acting head coach of the Spanish national team as a member of the coaching staff.

However, after leaving Enrique's side and officially starting his own managerial career, he failed to deliver the expected results.

After leaving the Spanish national team, he took the helm at AS Monaco but was sacked about seven months later, and subsequently stepped down from Granada before completing a single season.

Taking charge at FC Sochi in Russia in 2023, Moreno failed to prevent the team's relegation to the second division in his first season.

Controversy particularly flared during this period amid suspicions that he utilized artificial intelligence in the process of forming his starting lineups.

Although Moreno denied the claims as "completely false," he was subsequently dismissed.

The Korea Football Association decided yesterday to appoint Moreno as the head of the men's senior national team and approved the appointment of five coaching staff members to work alongside him.

Moreno will lead the team through six A-match games in September, October, and November.

(Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video by Choi Gang-san | Graphics by Yook Do-hyun | Produced by SBS Digital News | Screen capture from Spanish outlet OK Diario)

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