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Luis Enrique: Spanish FA announce manager’s departure for personal reasons with former assistant Robert Moreno his replacement

Enrique has not been in the dugout in recent matches against Malta, the Faroe Islands and Sweden

Wednesday 19 June 2019 15:23 BST

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Press conference with Spain manager Luis Enrique following their 3-2 Nations League defeat to England in Seville

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have announced Luis Enrique has left as Spain manager due to personal reasons.

The RFEF president Luis Rubiales, accompanied by sporting director Jose Francisco Molina, revealed the former Barcelona boss is stepping down with former assistant Robert Moreno his replacement.

Enrique has been experiencing personal problems in recent months, with his time in charge of La Furia Roja ending after 11 months.

"Luis Enrique has informed us that he will not continue as a selector. I have to thank him," said Rubiales. "We've been united with him. He will always find the RFEF doors open to him.

"The decision of the RFEF is to trust Robert Moreno as a coach. He will remain in charge for the same duration of the contract that was already signed. They will be in charge of taking us to the Euro 2020 and doing a good job if we qualify."

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

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1/22Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Marcus Rashford - 8/10

Rashford took his goal really nicely and played a gorgeous pass for England’s opener, but it is for his workrate that he earns high marks. His pace really worries teams and there was a sense tonight that he was a little more comfortable tucked inside rather than on the wide extremes. Tireless and diligent in his defensive work, Rashford never seemed to stop running and battling.

Action Images via Reuters

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Harry Kane - 8/10

He would have loved a goal but this was a magnificent performance from Kane. Dominated the Spanish defence with his physicality,

Action Images via Reuters

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Raheem Sterling - 7/10

Two very welcome goals to break his drought. The first was an excellent finish. Sterling was busy and a menace in behind that Spain struggled to deal with.

AP

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Ross Barkley - 7/10

Accomplished performance. Similarly to Winks showed his defensive steel and always looked forward when on the ball. Delectable clipped ball to Kane for Sterling’s second.

Action Images via Reuters

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Eric Dier - 7/10

Much-maligned in an England shirt, this was a good performance from Dier. His early clattering of Sergio Ramos was a bit of a tone-setter and seemed to almost lift England. Stout at the heart of midfield.

Action Images via Reuters

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Harry Winks - 6/10

Winks was very quiet, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. A player more for the game where England are dominant in possession, but his positional sense and discipline was strong throughout.

Getty Images

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Ben Chilwell - 6/10

A few nervy moments, but generally solid. Spain certainly didn’t exploit him at any point, and Chilwell stuck to his task well, blocking several attempted crosses. Kept going through the 90 minutes.

Action Images via Reuters

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Harry Maguire - 8/10

A few nervy moments, but generally solid. Spain certainly didn’t exploit him at any point, and Chilwell stuck to his task well, blocking several attempted crosses. Kept going through the 90 minutes.

Getty Images

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Joe Gomez - 7/10

Untroubled and unperturbed throughout the game. Gomez used the ball well and did all his defensive work effectively.

Action Images via Reuters

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Kieran Trippier - 7/10

The Tottenham full-back ran himself virtually into the ground before being replaced. Asensio got no joy against Trippier. An impressive defensive performance, even if he had little chance to get forward.

Getty Images

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Jordan Pickford - 6/10

His well-directed long balls were influential in both the first and second goals. Very, very fortunate not to concede a penalty for his pulling back of Rodrigo after messing about in his own area. Tidy generally, and similarly to De Gea had very little to do saves-wise.

Action Images via Reuters

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Marco Asensio - 5/10

Asensio was probably Spain’s most disappointing player, his largely excellent set-pieces aside. He earns a slight rating jump for that, but otherwise was wasteful and lacked drive.

Getty Images

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Rodrigo - 5/10

Rodrigo should have had a penalty, but otherwise a quiet game. Maguire and Gomez handled him rather easily.

AFP/Getty Images

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Iago Aspas - 5/10

Aspas was relatively lively, but didn’t look a natural fit on the right wing. Substituted for the more impressive Paco Alcacer.

Getty Images

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Saul - 5/10

Kept possession well, but similarly to his midfield cohorts Saul did little to influence outside of the middle of the park. Replaced by Dani Ceballos as Spain chased an unlikely comeback, and Ceballos looked to provide more.

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Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Sergio Busquets - 6/10

As ever the tall midfield pivot was very accomplished in possession, but little else from Busquets.

Getty Images

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Thiago - 6/10

Plenty of flashy touches and some lovely bits and pieces from Thiago, but the midfielder failed to produce the incisive pass Spain need to break down England’s well-structured defence.

Getty Images

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Marcos Alonso - 5/10

Raheem Sterling had plenty of joy down the forward-minded full-back’s channel and looked a threat in behind every time England had the ball at times. Alonso did offer a useful outlet going forward, but the ability in the final third typical of the Chelsea man’s game was not apparent.

AFP/Getty Images

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Sergio Ramos - 6/10

Failed to effectively organise the Spanish defence’s high line, and Kane bullied both he and Nacho aerially at times. Ramos kept fighting until the death, however, and deserves kudos for lifting his side in the second half. He took his consolation goal well.

Getty Images

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Nacho - 5/10

Harry Kane made Nacho’s life difficult throughout and the Real Madrid defender was part of a disjointed defence exploited badly by England for the three goals.

Action Images via Reuters

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

Jonny - 5/10

Jonny struggled with Marcus Rashford’s pace relatively frequently during the game. He was probably the weakest Spanish player on the ball and provided little of quality when pressing forward.

PA

Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings

David De Gea - 6/10

No saves from the Manchester United goalkeeper on the night as England scored from each of their shots on target. De Gea could do little about the goals, but did give the ball away carelessly a couple of times early on. Nothing of real note, however.

AP

Moreno thanked the RFEF for their trust in him moving forward.

"I want to thank you for the trust you place in us," Moreno said. "It's a bittersweet day.

Luis Enrique has encountered personal problems (EPA)

"I didn't expect to be first coach in this way. We're going to work to finish the top work that Luis started."

Enrique was not present in the dugout for recent matches against Malta, the Faroe Islands and Sweden.

And now a decision to walk away and focus on his private life has been taken, with long-term assistant Moreno stepping up.

Robert Moreno will be the next Spain manager (AP)

Moreno has been Enrique's assistant at Roma, Celta Vigo and Barcelona.

Spain's next fixtures are the Euro 2020 qualifiers in September against Romania and the Faroe Islands.

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