Spain: Robert Moreno goes out in dignified fashion
There had been morbid curiosity as to whether or not we'd be seeing any parting shots from Robert Moreno. Given the way he was relieved of his duties as Spain boss, kept in limbo for the whole weekend and unable to enjoy his last game in charge, he could have been forgiven the odd barb. Instead, however, the 42-year-old opted to go out with tact and class. Moreno's statement was an example of how to nip an issue in the bud before it blew up any further. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord. Ever since his promotion to the top job, he had known that his future would not only depend on results, as it tends to in his profession, but also Luis Enrique's readiness to return.
Luis Enrique has changed Moreno's life - and the outgoing Spain boss will be only too aware of that
Overall, Moreno's Spain stewardship has been positive: seven wins and two draws, decent general displays, player picks that few could have quibbled over, attacking football which, at times, was really jolly good, and the elevation to centre stage of three dependable and effective performers in Fabián Ruiz, Mikel Oyarzabal and Gerard Moreno. These past few months have changed Moreno's life for the better and, deep down, he'll be of aware that. He has gone from being an assistant to a fully-fledged head coach, gaining elite experience in dealing with the demands of the role. His career has been taken to a whole new level, and he will only have helped his cause by sounding a note of peace amid such a row.
"Ask Luis Enrique," he said simply when asked why the returning boss didn't want him by his side. This, again, is the right way to play it, steering clear of any strife. At the end of the day, Luis Enrique has changed his life, even if they have now gone their separate ways. In life, it's best to remember the good influence others have had on you; it doesn't pay to dwell on the bad. Among the aspects of football I set great store by is the example it sets in society. What we saw on Monday and Tuesday was just unpleasant. Moreno's dignified exit goes some way to calming things, and I only hope the blue touch paper is not re-lit on Wednesday, when Luis Enrique faces the media for the first time since his re-appointment.