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Spain: Moreno feels "betrayed" over Luis Enrique return as boss

Spanish Football Federation chief Luis Rubiales confirmed Luis Enrique's re-appointment in a press conference in Madrid on Tuesday.

Spain: Moreno feels "betrayed" over Luis Enrique return as boss
CRISTINA QUICLERAFP

Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales has confirmed Luis Enrique's reappointment as Spain head coach in place of Robert Moreno.

Previously Spain's assistant coach under Luis Enrique, Moreno took over in March, initially in a caretaker capacity, when the former Barcelona boss learned that his daughter, who died in August, was seriously ill.

Moreno feels "used and betrayed" by RFEF and Luis Enrique

Sources close to Moreno say he feels "used and betrayed" by Luis Enrique and Rubiales, who officially informed the coach of the end of his tenure on Tuesday morning, before offering a press conference to explain the situation.

Having become aware of his imminent departure on Monday, Moreno did not appear for his post-match press conference after Spain's 5-0 victory over Romania in Euro 2020 qualifying - a result that ensured that La Roja, who had already won Group F, will be one of the top seeds at next summer's finals.

Moreno is said to have been "not in the right frame of mind" to face the media at the Wanda Metropolitano and, AS has learned, broke down in the dressing room as he told his players that his time in charge was to come to a close.

After steering Spain to three wins out of three as caretaker, he oversaw four victories and two draws following his appointment on a full-time basis.

When he was confirmed as coach in June, Moreno said he'd be willing step aside if Luis Enrique later wished to resume the role - but, after successfully steering the Spaniards through qualifying, he had been increasingly eager to see this rewarded with an extension to his one-year contract, and was unhappy to see Rubiales twice refuse to publicly back him this international week.

RFEF bosses were losing faith in Moreno management

Having kept the door open for Luis Enrique to return, Rubiales had planned to wait until early next year before making a decisionamid recent signals from the Asturian that he was open to the idea of being reappointed.

But with Federation chiefs now understood to have lost confidence in Moreno's management - a stance particularly motivated by what is seen as excessive player power under the 42-year-old - Rubiales has opted to act right away