Luis Enrique steps down as Spain coach, former assistant Moreno named replacement

MADRID - Luis Enrique on Wednesday stepped down as coach of the Spanish national football team after less than a year in charge and was replaced by his former assistant Roberto Moreno.

The President of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales confirmed the decision in a press conference at the RFEF headquarters on the outskirts of Madrid.

Enrique had been forced to return home to Spain ahead of their European Championship qualifying tie away to Malta in March, citing "family reasons" and was unable to be with the squad to prepare their matches against the Faroe Islands and Sweden at the start of this month for the same reason.

"Luis Enrique has told us that he is not going to continue as coach. I have to thank him; his behavior to us has been 10 out of 10 and we have nothing to say against him. We have been very united with him and he will always have the doors of the RFEF open," said Rubiales.

He said it was "Luis'" own decision to step down, adding that the reasons were "private" and that was something he could not discuss.

"Now we have a new period with a new coach," added Rubiales.

Moreno had been in charge of the squad for the last three games, which Spain won 2-0 in Malta, 4-1 in the Faroe Islands and 3-0 at home to Sweden on June 10th.

The 40-year-old has worked with Enrique for nine years and was his assistant at Celta Vigo and FC Barcelona before moving to the national team with him.

"We wanted to work with Luis Enrique and his (coaching) team and we want to continue working with them at a tremendously difficult moment... We think they are the best prepared to continue with this and so our decision is to show confidence with Roberto as coach. The team will be in charge of taking us to the European Championships," explained Rubiales in confirming Moreno as the new coach.

Moreno thanked the RFEF for the confidence, but said the day was "bittersweet" as he's never expected to be promoted in this manner.

"At another time it would be very nice, but not for the circumstances, but we will try do our best for Luis and the work he has done," he said.

"I think I have enough experience, I have been nine years, working with Luis with big teams and the best players in the world... At times opportunities arrive for roads you don't want, but when they arrive you have to take them," commented Moreno.