Madrid (AFP)
New blow for the Spanish team: Luis Enrique, affected by a serious family problem, chose to leave his duties as coach, said Wednesday the Spanish federation (RFEF), which has bet to induct his deputy , the inexperienced Robert Moreno, in view of the Euro-2020.
For his first position as head coach in the elite, Moreno (41) becomes the fifth coach in two years for the "Roja" ... And the period of turmoil extends to Spain after the age of gold from its historic triple Euro-World-Euro (2008-2012).
"Luis Enrique has announced that he will not continue as coach," RFEF President Luis Rubiales said at a hastily convened press conference at the Federation's headquarters in Las Rozas, in the suburbs. from Madrid.
"The decision of the RFEF is to trust Robert as coach, with the same duration of contract that was signed (until 2020, Ed). (He and his management) will be responsible for leading us to the Euro, "added Rubiales.
Luis Enrique (49), appointed in the summer of 2018 to rebuild the "Roja", was back from his post since March "for family reasons of force majeure" according to the RFEF, which asked the media to respect privacy technician.
For his part, Robert Moreno said his appointment was a "bitter-sweet day, more bitter than sweet".
- Short experience -
"I always thought that I would become head coach one day, but not in this way (...) We accept it, we will try to lead the project started by Luis (Enrique) to the top and, if possible , to play and win the Euro, why not? ", he argued.
For the past three months, Robert Moreno has been on the bench for three Euro-2020 qualifying matches, with so many victories: in Malta (2-0), Feroé (4-1) and against Sweden (3-0).
However, this short experience is the unique experience of the young technician as the main coach in the elite.
Before being propelled into the light, Catalan Moreno has spent most of his career as assistant to the Asturian Luis Enrique: Barça B, AS Roma, Celta Vigo and on the bench of FC Barcelona (2014- 2017), before becoming the deputy of Juan Carlos Unzué, ex-member of the blaugrana management, at Celta (2017-2018).
And when Luis Enrique took the reins of the selection, he naturally appealed to Moreno, presented as a specialist in video analysis and new technologies, and finally bombarded coach on Wednesday.
"Me, I believe on the contrary that I have enough experience", played down the new coach, who presented himself as guarantor of continuity. "I spent nine years with Luis and I'm like a sponge, I tried to take everything he could bring me," he said, especially in the management of a cloakroom of stars.
- Cut the rope -
But he also promised that he would cut the cord: "Of course I'll be able to consult him, but from now on, it's up to me to be there to make the main decisions," he said. .
Moreno is the fourth to hold the position since the start of the summer of 2016 Vicente del Bosque, crowned world champion in 2010.
Julen Lopetegui (2016-2018) was sacked two days before the start of the World Cup-2018 by Rubiales for negotiating his departure to Real Madrid in the back of the federation.
Then sports director, Fernando Hierro succeeded him at short notice but could not do better than a knockout in the round of 16 against Russia (1-1 ap, 3 tab 4), giving way to Luis Enrique.
But if, with "Lucho", Spain has raised its head, the new official change of course Wednesday sowing doubt on the ability of the "Roja" to shine at the Euro-2020 held in twelve cities in Europe, including Bilbao.
Spain is currently the first group F qualification for the Euro (4 games, 4 wins) ... but the hardest starts for Robert Moreno.
? 2019 AFP