South Korea’s national football team coach Robert Moreno has firmly backed Son Heung-min to remain as captain, shutting down swirling rumours of internal rifts that have threatened to destabilize the squad following their disappointing World Cup campaign.
The 34-year-old forward, now plying his trade with LAFC in Major League Soccer after leaving Tottenham Hotspur, has been named in the squad for upcoming friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Qatar next month. His inclusion comes amid reports suggesting friction between Son and several senior teammates who were reportedly considering walking away from international duty.
Moreno, who took charge on an interim basis after South Korea crashed out of the World Cup group stage in North America, addressed the controversy head-on during an extensive press conference that stretched beyond an hour. The Spanish coach revealed he has prioritized communication over training since assuming his role, holding numerous conversations with players to address underlying tensions.
“I spent more time communicating than training,” Moreno acknowledged, adding that even top teams experience disagreements. “What matters is how those differences are resolved.”
The speculation intensified after Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae threw his boots in frustration following his substitution during a goalless friendly draw with Venezuela earlier this month. His post-match comments about players needing to “put their head down and give it their all” fueled talk of divisions within the squad.
Despite the controversy, Moreno has recalled Kim alongside other Europe-based veterans Hwang Hee-chan and Hwang In-beom, all of whom were reportedly contemplating international retirement last month. When pressed specifically about Son’s leadership credentials, the coach was unequivocal: “The captain is Son Heung-min. I have nothing more to say.”
The national team has faced intense scrutiny from supporters following their World Cup failure, which led to the resignation of former coach Hong Myung-bo. The pressure became so severe that South Korea’s football association issued a public statement this month urging fans to cease “excessive personal attacks” on players.
Moreno insisted the squad is now in good health and expressed confidence that the players can unite moving forward. His own future remains uncertain, with his interim contract set to expire after the two friendlies, though football officials may extend his tenure through the Asian Cup scheduled for Saudi Arabia in January.
The upcoming matches against regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Qatar will serve as a crucial test of whether Moreno has successfully healed the reported divisions and restored harmony to a team desperate to rebuild its reputation on the international stage.
