Robert Moreno: "If I hadn't carried on, Luis Enrique wouldn't be the coach now"

Robert Moreno appeared this Thursday at the Claris de Barcelona Hotel to respond to Luis Enrique's recent comments. Moreno held a press conference but refused to take any questions and instead released a planned statement.

Luis Enrique accused Moreno of being "disloyal" when he asked to lead Spain into the Euro 2020. "Until I had permission from Luis Enrique, I wouldn't have accepted the role."

The brash attitude Luis Enrique showed to his former friend surprised many onlookers. "I'm going to give my side of the story. In this puzzle, it's lacking my pieces, after I've been attacked by personally and with two adjectives which are very unfair." Moreno added: "If I hadn't taken over as national team coach, he wouldn't be there today because another would be instead."

The now-former coach admits he is still hurt and confused by some of the things Luis Enrique has said about him. "Even today I don't know why Luis Enrique doesn't want me to be with him. I believe he's used very ugly words towards me that I don't deserve. The years will pass and I still won't know." 

Moreno said the first he knew about Luis Enrique returning to the role was via the national press. Luis Rubiales, head of the RFEF, claimed Moreno was the one who told him Luis Enrique wanted to come back.