Luis Enrique quits Spain job

Luis Enrique has had to give up his position as manager of the Spain national team, citing personal reasons for leaving his job of less than a year.

The former Barcelona boss had been absent from the post since March for family reasons, with Robert Moreno deputising, and he will now succeed Enrique as the permanent manager.

Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Federation, confirmed the news at a press conference, saying: “It was a decision Luis Enrique took himself, which we are grateful for.

“We will have a perfect memory of him. It’s a personal matter which doesn’t depend on us. We think it’s the best thing to do. “We are convinced that the best response is the most prepared team, and that team is represented by Robert [Moreno] and his group, who arrived with Luis Enrique.”

The new manager Moreno added: “I didn’t expect to be the head coach this way. Let’s try to carry on the top work that Luis started.”

Enrique took the Spain job after last summer’s World Cup, leading them into the Nations League campaign in which they failed to reach the semi-finals. He remained in charge for the start of Spain’s bid to qualify for Euro 2020 but gave way to Moreno for the next three games, all won which have given Spain a lead at the top of Group F with maximum points from their four games so far.

Moreno’s first games in permanent charge take place in September with Euro 2020 qualifying continuing with games against Romania and the Faroe Islands. Before his time with Spain, Enrique was in charge at Barcelona, guiding the club to successive La Liga titles as well as winning the Copa del Rey three years in a row.

He also led Barcelona to the Champions League title in 2015 when they beat Juventus in the final. Spain are at 7.50 to win Euro 2020 next year with England 5.50 and France 4.33.