"What matters is not what a player did in the past but how he is performing now."
That is how Robert Moreno of Spain, the new interim manager of South Korea's national soccer team, described the standard for the next generation of players at his introductory news conference. Tasked with rebuilding a team that collapsed after its disastrous showing at the 2026 World Cup in North America, Moreno began his interim tenure by laying out clear criteria for squad selection as a way to change the team's makeup.
"I am grateful to the Korea Football Association for putting its trust in me, and to the fans for the warm welcome," Moreno said at the news conference held on the 14th at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, where he was introduced and announced the squad for the September and October international matches. "It is an honor to lead the South Korean national team for six matches. I will give an honest effort and do everything I can to bring joy to the fans."
The squad, Moreno's first, includes most of the team's established core players, among them Son Heung-min of LAFC, Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich, Lee Kang-in of Atletico Madrid, Hwang In-beom of Porto and Lee Jae-sung of Mainz. Also drawing attention were first-time senior call-ups, including Kim Gun-hee of Incheon United, Park Tae-jun of Gimcheon Sangmu and Kim Min-soo of Rangers.
Moreno said that alongside current form, a player's desire to represent the country was another criterion for selection. "Above all, when I look a player in the eye, I have to feel that he wants to play for the national team," he said. "That is what we want most."
He also said he had picked players capable of filling multiple positions, explaining that he drew up the list with an eye on players who can both attack and defend.
Moreno cited a 4-4-2 as the new model he is introducing to the team. "After analyzing the past two years of the K League, I concluded that 4-4-2 is the formation K League clubs use most," he said. "We want balanced players. They have to be good at both attacking and defending. In analyzing players, I focused on finding those with the traits and abilities that fit that."
Moreno's team faces Ecuador on the 24th at Suwon World Cup Stadium and Uruguay on the 28th at Seoul World Cup Stadium. In October, it plays Venezuela on the 2nd at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium and Uzbekistan on the 6th at Yongin Mir Stadium. Having taken over just weeks before, he has very little time to get the players working together, yet he must prove his worth through results on the field.
"Doing our job properly is what ultimately brings good results," he said. "I will make sure the players get the information they need so they can carry out their roles on the pitch."
