Football News

Spain confirm Luis Enrique’s shock return amid reports Moreno left job in tears

By Harry Edwards

Published: 17:24, 19 November 2019

Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales has confirmed Luis Enrique’s return as manager of the national team.

Enrique stepped down from his role as Spain manager in June for personal reasons with his daughter seriously ill and suffering from bone cancer. The nine-year-old sadly lost her battle with the disease and passed away in August.

The former Barcelona boss was replaced by Robert Moreno who continued to lead Spain on their path to Euro 2020, securing qualification as Group F winners.

Enrique returns to Spain: Five things to know…

  • Luis Enrique stood down as Spain manager in June 2019 for personal reasons.
  • He was replaced by assistant Robert Moreno, who led Spain to Euro 2020 qualification.
  • Moreno won four and drew two of his six games in charge.
  • But he reportedly left his final game in tears, refusing to speak to reporters.
  • Enrique was named as new Spain manager on Tuesday, taking the role until 2022.

Moreno won four of his six games in charge, drawing the other two, and signed off with a 5-0 win over Romania in Madrid on Monday night.

According to reports, however, it was not a happy departure with the Guardian claiming Moreno left the Wanda Metropolitano in tears. The 42-year-old did not speak to the media after the game, as is the norm, and neither did his players.

Moreno initially agreed to take charge of Spain until next summer but his time has been cut short, with Rubiales confirming the return of Enrique in a press conference on Tuesday.

“Today we can confirm that Luis Enrique will return to his position,” he said.

“We have acted sincerely, we have not deceived anyone. Everyone knew that if Luis Enrique wanted to come back he had the doors open.”

Rubiales also confirmed the length of Enrique’s return to Spain, stating the former Barcelona boss will continue until the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The managerial change continues what has been an eventual 18 months for the Spanish national side. It started with Spain sacking Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the 2018 World Cup after he had agreed a deal to manage Real Madrid once the tournament was over.

He was replaced by Fernando Hierro for the tournament, with Spain bowing out to Russia at the round-of-16, performing below expectations. Enrique was then announced as Lopetegui’s permanent replacement but once again underperformed in the Uefa Nations League, finishing second in their group and failing to reach the finals.

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