South Korea Hires Spanish Coach Molinno; Son Targets National Scoring Record vs Uzbekistan
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
South Korea has hired Spanish coach Roberto Molinno on a short-term contract through the end of the year as the national team looks to rebuild following the "Hong Myung-bo chaos" at the World Cup . The appointment comes as captain Son Heung-min stands just one goal away from breaking Cha Bum-kun's long-standing national team scoring record, with the Taeguk Warriors set to face Uzbekistan in an international friendly tonight . Molinno, who previously led Spain to an unbeaten run of seven wins and two draws, will be hoping to deliver immediate results to secure a longer contract .
Key Points
- South Korea appointed Roberto Molinno following the "Hong Myung-bo chaos" at the World Cup, signing him to a short-term deal valid until year-end
- Molinno previously guided Spain to seven wins and two draws in international competition, demonstrating his capability at the highest level
- In 2019, Molinno made history by fielding 11 players from 11 different clubs against Norway—the first time in Spain's 99-year national team history
- Son Heung-min has scored 58 goals for South Korea and needs just one more to surpass Cha Bum-kun as the nation's all-time top scorer
- South Korean midfielders Lee Kang-in (Atletico Madrid) and Hwang In-wook (Porto) have been in excellent form for their clubs, contributing to victories over Real Madrid and Benfica respectively
Why It Matters
Molinno's appointment signals South Korea's determination to move past their World Cup disappointment and re-establish themselves as an Asian football powerhouse . With Son on the brink of making history, tonight's friendly against Uzbekistan carries significant emotional weight for Korean football fans, while also serving as an important test of Molinno's tactical approach ahead of future competitive tournaments .
Molinno's appointment signals South Korea's determination to move past their World Cup disappointment and re-establish themselves as an Asian football powerhouse . With Son on the brink of making history, tonight's friendly against Uzbekistan carries significant emotional weight for Korean football fans, while also serving as an important test of Molinno's tactical approach ahead of future competitive tournaments .