ARSENAL look set to miss out on Luis Enrique taking over from under-fire Unai Emery – with Spain wanting him to become national boss.
Current Spain boss Robert Moreno has revealed he feels “used and betrayed” by national chiefs’ interest in ex-Barcelona boss Enrique.
Moreno, 42, even skipped his post-match press conference following the 5-0 win over Romania, further fuelling rumours of Enrique’s potential arrival – which is bad news for Arsenal.
Enrique, 49, had taken charge of Spain for a year between July 2018 and June 2019.
However, he quit for personal reasons – later revealed to be looking after his daughter, nine-year-old Xana, who was fighting bone cancer.
Xana passed away in August after a five-month battle with the disease.
The Spaniard has been out of work since, but has since been linked with a host of new jobs – including Arsenal.
The Gunners are struggling this season having won just four of their first 12 Premier League games.
They now sit just FOUR points above 16th-placed West Ham, with bosses at the Emirates considering taking drastic action in sacking Emery.
Top of the list to replace the former Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain chief is Enrique.
But reports in Spain are now claiming it’s a foregone conclusion Enrique will reclaim his spot as national boss.
The rumours have led to Moreno reacting furiously after he snubbed the post-Romania press conference after revealing he was “not in then right frame of mind” – reportedly bursting into tears after learning he was to be replaced.
Moreno, the long-term assistant of Enrique, has won all seven of his matches in charge since taking over from the ex-Barcelona boss.
Despite reacting angrily to the rumours, Moreno – on the same day as being hired – said he would be “willing to step aside if Luis Enrique decides to return.”
Spain are keen to have the veteran boss in charge for their Euro 2020 campaign next summer having last won the tournament in 2012.
National team bosses are also concerned Moreno’s lack of experience is leading to “excessive player power”.
