​Luis Enrique has resigned as the head coach of the Spanish men's national team, and will be replaced by his long-time assistant Robert Moreno. 


The former Barcelona manager has been absent from the sidelines for La Roja's last three matches against Malta, the Faroe Islands and Sweden for personal reasons, and Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales announced in a press conference on Wednesday that Enrique will be stepping down from the role permanently. 

Rubiales said: "Luis Enrique has informed us that he will not continue as the manager. I have to thank him. We don't have the slightest reproach for him, and the situation has been dealt with well. We've been united with him, and the door will always be open."


Enrique provided a written statement of his own, which read: "As the reasons that prevented me from performing my duties as a coach as normal since last March continue to this day, I have decided to leave the position.


"All my thanks to those responsible for the RFEF for the trust and understanding that they have shown. Special thanks to all the people who are part of the staff, and to the players for their professionalism – without forgetting the media for your discretion and respect for the situation."

Moreno took charge of those three games, winning all three with an aggregate score of 9-1 – pinning them to the top of their European Championship qualifying group with a five point lead. 


Spain don't play again until September, when they have back to back qualifying matches against Romania and the Faroe Islands, a relatively benign start to Moreno's reign as permanent manager. 


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