Roberto Moreno told stunned Spain players 'they've tossed me aside, they've left me thrown aside' in tearful dressing room rant before walking out on national team after being replaced by returning Luis Enrique

  • Roberto Moreno was left in tears at news he was being replaced as Spain boss
  • Luis Enrique is returning, months after quitting to care for his dying daughter
  • Moreno has now refused to return to being his assistant as he feels 'betrayed'  

Roberto Moreno's final act as Spain boss saw him reportedly let out an emotional rant to his players in the dressing room after a dramatic u-turn saw Luis Enrique return as manager.  

Spanish outlet MARCA report that Moreno, returning to the dressing room after a 5-0 win over Romania in Madrid, left players in shock having been calm despite speculation of his exit earlier in the day. 

'They've tossed me aside, they've tossed me aside, they've left me thrown aside,' he is reported to have exclaimed as he came into the dressing room teary-eyed. 

Roberto Moreno gave a tearful speech to his Spain stars before he was dismissed from the job

Roberto Moreno gave a tearful speech to his Spain stars before he was dismissed from the job

Spain have confirmed their incredible u-turn by re-appointing Luis Enrique as their manager

Spain have confirmed their incredible u-turn by re-appointing Luis Enrique as their manager

Moreno took over in June after Enrique's daughter, Xana, was taken ill having been diagnosed with cancer. Xana passed away in August aged nine. 


Having led his country unbeaten through eight matches in charge, former Barcelona assistant Moreno looks to be departing the national team entirely after being removed as head coach.

Relations between Enrique and Moreno, who have worked together for the last nine years, are said to be strained and FA president Luis Rubiales refused to comment on whether the departing boss would stay in the Spain set-up on Tuesday morning. 

Spain mustered a 12-0 aggregate scoreline from Moreno's last two matches in qualifying

Spain mustered a 12-0 aggregate scoreline from Moreno's last two matches in qualifying

Rubiales has insisted that 'the doors of the federation and the national team will remain open to him'. But Moreno, who is said to feel 'used and betrayed', doesn't share that thought, it appears.

Moreno is expected to release a statement to clarify his position on Wednesday, but it looks like victory over Romania was his final involvement with the national team.  

Having given his emotional rant, Moreno is said to have wished his players luck going forward with a nod to the European Championships, which he helped them qualify for.

Moreno did not want to attend the post-match press conference amid talk of Enrique's return.  

The reports in Spain detail how Rubiales phoned Sergio Ramos and Sergio Busquets - two captains in the national team set-up - and another unnamed player to discuss the decision to bring back Enrique, but the bulk of the squad were largely kept in the dark regarding managerial changes.  

Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales confirmed the news of Enrique's return on Tuesday

Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales confirmed the news of Enrique's return on Tuesday

Robert Moreno had no idea he was being replaced  but he did know Enrique wanted to return

Moreno had no idea he was going to be replaced  but he did know Enrique wanted to return

Rubiales said on Tuesday that Moreno wanted to agree his departure quickly 'so as not to hinder the return of Luis Enrique'.

He added: 'Moreno did not want to continue but he had not negotiated anything. [Jose Francisco] Molina [Spain sporting director] asked me to go talk to him and ask if he wanted to come back. I told him everything and asked him if he would come back.

'We have acted sincerely, we have not deceived anyone. Everyone knew that if Luis Enrique wanted to come back he had the doors open.' 

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