On September 13, R. Moreno, interim head coach of the South Korean national team, arrived at Incheon International Airport, officially commencing his work with the South Korean team.

Moreno was welcomed at the airport by Hyun Young-min, chairman of the Korea Football Association (KFA) Power Reinforcement Committee, and fans present. Hyun Young-min presented Moreno with a bouquet, which Moreno accepted with a smile.

In an interview with the media, Moreno stated: "I have come here with many dreams and responsibilities. I am very happy to be able to coach the South Korean national team."

On September 1, Moreno officially took on the role of interim head coach of the South Korean team after going through the KFA's open recruitment process. According to the current arrangement, he will coach the team until at least November 27, leading them in six matches during this period. If his coaching results meet expectations, he will have the opportunity to continue leading the team in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, which will be held in January.

For Moreno, this is not just a temporary job lasting a few months. After experiencing a series of events including the poor performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the resignation of former KFA president Chung Mong-gyu, and parliamentary audits, South Korean football is in a phase that requires readjustment.

Regarding the previous World Cup performance, Moreno said: "I acknowledge that it was a very difficult moment for everyone. But we cannot dwell on what has happened; instead, we must look forward and move on. I will work hard to make the South Korean national team even more proud."

After confirming his coaching role with the South Korean team, Moreno has begun preparations for the upcoming matches. It is reported that he has been in contact with South Korean players in European leagues and watching K League matches to analyze domestic players.

The South Korean team will play four consecutive matches during the September and October international breaks, against Ecuador, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Uzbekistan, respectively. Specifically, South Korea will face Ecuador in Suwon on September 24, Uruguay in Seoul on September 28, Venezuela in Ulsan on October 2, and Uzbekistan in Yongin on October 6.

Moreno will announce the final squad for the September and October international matches and hold a press conference following his official inauguration at the Korea Football Park in Cheonan on September 14.

When asked about his preparations since confirming his coaching role and arriving in South Korea, Moreno said: "I have been watching matches every day and analyzing how the national team performed in the past. At the same time, I have also been continuously learning about South Korean culture."

Regarding his goals for the six matches from September to November, Moreno stated: "I will continue to work hard to improve this team. I will focus on building team unity and making the South Korean people proud of the national team."

Moreno did not directly respond to whether there would be an opportunity to become the permanent head coach of the South Korean team in the future. He said: "My focus is on the task at hand, and I will not think about other things."

The South Korean team plans to officially convene on September 21, one week after the squad announcement, and then prepare for the upcoming four matches. Moreno and his coaching staff will be based in Cheonan and will work with the KFA Power Reinforcement Committee to advance the national team's preparations.

It is worth noting that Moreno had previously expressed his desire to coach the South Korean national team. After officially arriving in South Korea, he will now enter a phase of truly testing his coaching philosophy. For this interim coach, how to understand the players, establish a tactical system, and help the team regain confidence in a short period will be the key tasks in the coming months.

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