Seoul: South Korea's new interim coach, Robert Moreno, expressed his desire to bring joy to fans following a disappointing World Cup and a series of controversies. Moreno, a former Spain coach, clarified on Monday that he never used ChatGPT for game preparations despite earlier claims. He will lead South Korea in upcoming friendly matches, with the Korean Football Association (KFA) considering extending his tenure for the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, contingent on performance evaluations.
According to Ghana Web, Moreno has included captain Son Heung-min in his squad for four home friendlies, aiming to restore the spirit of South Korean football supporters. "We're going to try to do our work honestly and with the aim of making all Korean football fans happy," stated the 48-year-old coach, marking his debut as the first Spaniard to helm South Korea's national team. Moreno is set to guide the team against Ecuador and Uruguay in September, followed by matches against Venezuela and Uzbekistan in October.
The South Korean team has been without a coach since Hong Myung-bo resigned after the team's unexpected early exit from the World Cup in North America in June. Hong's resignation intensified public dissatisfaction and raised questions about his hiring process. The situation worsened when the KFA's headquarters were raided by police last month amid an investigation into Hong's appointment in 2024. The KFA also issued an apology concerning allegations of providing inappropriate entertainment to foreign referees.
Moreno's squad selection features prominent players such as Son, now part of Major League Soccer's Los Angeles FC, Atletico Madrid's Lee Kang-in, and Bayern Munich's Kim Min-jae. Hong's controversial decision to bench Son during a critical World Cup match against South Africa had previously sparked anger among fans. Moreno emphasized Son's importance, stating, "We're all aware of Son's versatility. For me, he can play in three positions."
Moreover, Moreno addressed rumors of his reliance on artificial intelligence during his stint at Russian club Sochi. He left the team in September 2025 after a challenging period, amid reports of using ChatGPT for decision-making, including player signings. Moreno dismissed these claims as false, asserting, "Obviously I use technology. Anyone who spends 10 minutes looking into it can see that everything has been taken out of context and put together to cause harm."