Luis Enrique has returned for a second spell as Spain head coach, five months after stepping down for personal reasons.
The former Barcelona boss gave up the position in June to look after his nine-year-old daughter, Xana, who passed away from bone cancer in August.
In his absence, his former assistant Robert Moreno led La Roja to seven wins and two draws in his nine games in charge, initially on an interim basis and later in a full-tine role, culminating in a 5-0 victory against Romania last night which saw Spain finish five points clear in Euro 2020 qualifying Group F.
After that match, the 42-year-old was too upset to face the media amid news that the game would his last.
Moreno said at his unveiling that he would step aside if Luis Enrique wanted to return and Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales claimed in a press conference on Tuesday that he had found out from the Catalan that the former coach was interested in resuming his role.
“It was Robert Moreno who told us that Luis Enrique was interested in returning to coaching,” he said.
Rubiales then went on to add that Moreno had pressed him on the Federation’s plans ahead of Monday’s game against Romania.
“He asked us what we were thinking and we said we would evaluate the possibility of Luis Enrique returning,” he said.
The RFEF chief then claimed it was Moreno who asked to leave.
“Robert Moreno requested to have his departure agreed so that he wouldn’t get in the way of Luis Enrique’s return,” he said.
Juan Carlos Unzue, who worked alongside Luis Enrique at Barcelona, is expected to come in as his assistant.
Spain are not in action now until two friendly fixtures in March.
