Luis Enrique calls Moreno "disloyal" over Spain manager job
Luis Enrique criticised Robert Moreno's ambition to lead Spain at Euro 2020 as the former Barcelona head coach faced the media.
The fallout from the change in management of the Spanish national team squad took another turn on Wednesday as Luis Enrique accused his ex-assistant Robert Moreno of being "disloyal".
Moreno "disloyal" says Spain's Luis Enrique
The former Barcelona boss faced the media for the first time since returning to the role on November 19 and took aim at Moreno's character.
Moreno served as Luis Enrique's assistant until the latter stepped down from the top job in June to care for his young daughter, Xana, who died in August following a battle with bone cancer.
Spain qualified for Euro 2020 under Moreno but he will not be part of Luis Enrique's backroom team moving forward after a falling out between the pair.
"The only person responsible for Robert Moreno not being on my staff is me," Luis Enrique said.
"On September 12, I met him at my house and he told me that he wanted to coach at the European Championships and then, if I wanted, he would be my assistant.
"I understand that he is ambitious, that it is his dream to be a coach, but for me it is disloyal, I would not do it. For me it is a big flaw. I understand his position but I do not share it.
"I told him I no longer see him as my assistant and that I don't know when I will be back, but that I feel like working. He finished the meeting in a cordial way and I called the people on my staff to let them know my opinion and that of the other side, so that no one misrepresents my words.
"From there, I must say that I never approached the federation. I never called them.
Moreno the model coach
"Professionally I have no reason to criticise Robert Moreno. He is very prepared and is a very good coach. His words said one thing and the facts were very different.
"I am not the good one in this movie, but neither am I the bad one."
The 49-year-old went on to thank the football world for the support he received following his daughter's passing and affirmed his eagerness to return to the dugout.
"It's hard to know what day I decided that I wanted to go back to the bench, but it was very soon," Luis Enrique said.
"I quickly wanted to get my life back, to do what I like best and show my family that life continues.
"I am fine. On a professional level I am very excited. I'm not coming to a new place, the faces I see are familiar. I have received a lot of love in the last few months."