Interim Football Coach Moreno on Arrival: "Making Taegeuk Warriors Even More Proud!"

Robert Moreno, the interim head coach of South Korean football tasked with reviving the national team following a disappointing group-stage exit plagued by dismal performances at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, has delivered his inaugural pledge to "make the Taegeuk Warriors even more proud."

Moreno, along with five members of his coaching staff, arrived at Incheon International Airport today (the 13th), greeting South Korean football fans by stating, "I have come to South Korea with many dreams and a great sense of responsibility."

The Korea Football Association (KFA) held an open recruitment process for an interim head coach to lead the team through six A-match games spanning September to November, replacing former coach Hong Myung-bo, who resigned in the wake of the lackluster World Cup campaign. On the 1st of this month, Moreno was selected for the "firefighter" role.

Moreno earned the KFA's selection by demonstrating exceptional enthusiasm and a deep understanding of South Korean football during the recruitment process, and arrived accompanied by five coaches who will assist him.

As the interim head coach of the national team, he is scheduled to direct six A-matches, consisting of four games in September and October, and two games in November.

While his contract duration runs until November 27, it includes a clause allowing him to extend his tenure through the 2027 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, which is held early next year, depending on the results of the A-matches.

In an interview with reporters at the arrival hall, Moreno said, "I am very happy to lead the South Korean national team."

Regarding his motivation for applying for the interim position, he explained, "There was no reason not to apply. I had wanted the South Korean national team head coach position for several years," adding, "Leading the South Korean national team is a great honor for anyone."

Moreno, who assumed the interim head coach position on the 1st, emphasized that he has since focused on analyzing the national team's performance.

"Immediately after my appointment, I watched the South Korean national team's matches every day and analyzed how they had been playing," he explained, adding, "I also continued to study South Korean culture."

Addressing South Korea's disappointing results at the North and Central America World Cup, he raised his voice, saying, "The results of the North and Central America World Cup were sad for everyone. However, we must now look ahead and move forward. Only then can we ensure that past events are never forgotten. I will make the South Korean national team even more proud."

Moreno stated, "Although I am in an interim position, I will strive to build a better national team," adding, "I will focus on uniting the national team players so that the public can take pride in them."

He vowed, "My goal is to focus on the task directly ahead of me," and "Although there are not many matches coming up, I will concentrate solely on the national team."

Having arrived today, Moreno is scheduled to hold an inaugural press conference and announce the roster of players selected for the September and October A-matches tomorrow (the 14th) at 2:00 PM at the Cheonan Korea Football Park.

"Team Moreno 1" will face Ecuador at the Suwon World Cup Stadium on the 24th, and will compete against Uruguay at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 28th.

Additionally, the team will play against Venezuela at the Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium on October 2, and will meet Uzbekistan at the Yongin Mireu Stadium on the 6th.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.