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Roberto Moreno, named interim manager of the South Korean national football team, will oversee six matches through the November international break. Depending on the results of these fixtures, the possibility remains open for him to become the permanent manager leading the team into next year's Asian Cup. / Moreno SNS

With manager Roberto Moreno, 48, taking the helm of the South Korean national football team as interim manager, attention is focusing on how "Moreno-style football" will take shape on the pitch. As expected of a Spanish tactician, an approach centered on passing and possession is anticipated, but the core issue lies in how effectively he integrates modern tactical flexibility—organically interchanging player positions—rather than merely relying on repetitive short passing, or "tiki-taka."

Moreno will oversee six international fixtures in the second half of the year following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Because the squad already boasts top-tier talents such as Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, and Kim Min-jae, he is more likely to build a game model maximizing the strengths of existing resources rather than introducing large-scale player call-ups.

KBSN commentator Kim Dae-gil expressed expectations regarding Moreno's tactical competence. "He is a manager who is exceptionally well-prepared both tactically and theoretically," Kim remarked. "What is intriguing to watch is how he can graft Spain's brand of tiki-taka football onto our national team." He added, "The tactical trend in modern football frequently disrupts rigid positional boundaries," explaining that Moreno is likely to demand setups where defenders and midfielders make fluid runs based on the opponent's weaknesses and available space during attacking phases. Moreno is expected to utilize basic frameworks like 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 while altering player positioning depending on match dynamics.

Uncertainties remain, however. Moreno has struggled to produce notable results in recent club management spells. In a national team environment where players assemble briefly to deliver rapid outcomes, commanding the locker room is just as crucial as tactical acumen. Commentator Kim similarly noted, "Questions may linger regarding his ability to manage and command the squad."

Nevertheless, his experience serving as an assistant coach under Luis Enrique could serve as an asset for the national side. Ultimately, whether Moreno can establish a coherent game model suited for South Korean football across these six fixtures will serve as the benchmark for his future evaluation.

Kim predicted, "Leading the squad into next year's Asian Cup would be the best-case scenario. If manager Moreno can instill a distinct identity in the national team while securing results, the door may open for him to shed the 'interim' label and transition into a long-term tenure."

                                                                                                          Cheon Hyun-bin