Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
Sport
Rik Sharma

Luis Enrique returns as Spain coach after daughter's death

MADRID (Reuters) - Luis Enrique has been reappointed Spain coach, having resigned from the role in June as his late daughter battled cancer, Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales said on Tuesday.

Rubiales said Robert Moreno, the former assistant coach who steered Spain to Euro 2020 qualification after Luis Enrique left, wanted to stand down so that he could return.

Luis Enrique's daughter Xana died in September.

"Today we can confirm that Luis Enrique returns to his role as coach," Rubiales told a news conference.

"Everyone knew that if Luis Enrique wanted to return he would have the doors to the national team open to him."

Moreno, who led the team to seven victories and two draws as Spain comfortably qualified for next summer's tournament, had said when appointed that he would step aside if Luis Enrique wanted to return.

Moreno did not speak to media after his side's 5-0 win over Romania on Monday, and there have been reports that he has fallen out with Luis Enrique and will not return as his assistant.

"Luis Enrique's decisions regarding his staff, as well as Robert's decision not to continue when he found out Luis Enrique wanted to return, are personal things. You have to ask them," added Rubiales.

"On Monday, Robert sent us a message saying he wanted to leave so as not to hinder the return of Luis Enrique."

Rubiales confirmed that the 49-year-old Luis Enrique, the former Barcelona coach, has a contract until after the Qatar 2022 World Cup, and will stay on regardless of the team's performance at Euro 2020.

(Reporting by Rik Sharma; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.