Robert Moreno responds to Luis Enrique "disloyal" comments
Ex-Spain coach Robert Moreno has given his version of events after Luis Enrique had called his predecessor and former assistant "disloyal" on Wednesday.
Robert Moreno has given a brief press conference in Barcelona to respond to comments made by Spain coach Luis Enrique, in which he branded his predecessor and former assistant as disloyal.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Luis Enrique gave his reasons for not reinstating Moreno as his No.2 following his return to his role as head coach.
The former Barcelona coach explained that Moreno had shown himself as disloyal for proposing that he stay on until after Euro 2020, after he had previously stated he would step aside whenever Luis Enrique wanted to come back.
Luis Enrique had left his post in June to look after his young daughter Xana, who passed away in August after a five-month battle with bone cancer.
Luis Enrique comments on Moreno
“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.”
Moreno responds to Luis Enrique
Following Luis Enrique’s comments, Moreno called a brief press conference to read a statement in response to the accusations of disloyalty. Moreno gave his own version of events and did not mention anything about his supposed proposal to stay until after Euro 2020.
“In a first meeting with Luis Enrique, he told me that he had done what he had to do and that he felt proud of me. Then I asked him for a meeting to give him a hug and convey my support,” he told a congregation of reporters in Barcelona.
“It seemed appropriate to tell him that, just as I had said before, I would step aside if he decided to return. And he said it seemed perfect, but he told me that he no longer counted on me [as his assistant]. I was in a state of shock. I let the staff know. I wondered what I had done wrong for him not to count on me.
He added: “I don’t know why Luis Enrique doesn’t want me to be with him today. I think he labelled me with two things that are ugly and which I am not. I think the years will go by and I’ll still not know. I’m the first to be happy that Luis Enrique wants to coach again.
“Having said that, I want to say that I will continue with my career as a head coach and I really want to lead a team. My passion is to be a coach.”