Enrique Returns As Spain Coach

Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique returned to his role as manager of Spain yesterday, having temporarily stepped down in June for personal reasons.

Two months later, the former Barcelona manager shared the tragic news that his nine-year-old daughter Xana had died following a five-month battle with bone cancer. During his absence, Roberto Moreno oversaw the team, but said in September he would step aside should Luis Enrique decide to come back.

Following Spain’s 5-0 victory over Romania, which completed their Euro 2020 qualification campaign, sources had told ESPN FC that Moreno was to be dismissed from his role.

“It was left clear that when Luis Enrique wanted to return, he could,” Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales said in an 80-minute news conference in Madrid on Tuesday.

“I said that when he felt strong enough to return, the door was open. We’ve been really happy with Robert. We thank him for his work, but the leader of this project was Luis Enrique.”

That message came 24 hours after the federation had told Moreno they were evaluating the possibility of the former coach’s return.

Moreno is yet to comment publicly, having refused to speak after the game against Romania when rumours were already circulating about his future.

Rubiales said he had received a message from Moreno earlier on Monday that said, “I want to agree my departure and not be an obstacle for the return of Luis Enrique.”

Rubiales added, “I asked Robert Moreno to come here this morning, but he didn’t want to. We don’t consider it a resignation or a sacking. We consider it Robert Moreno’s decision.”

Spain will be seeded in the Euro 2020 draw on Nov. 30 in Bucharest.

A date has not yet been set for Luis Enrique to take charge and begin preparations for the tournament, where Spain will play their group games in Bilbao.