14 Wednesday, November 20, 2019 Sports Spain confirm return of Enrique as coach until Qatar World Cup Euro 2020 qualifier. Moreno saying: “Luis Enrique left his Former Barca succeeded in guiding the job for the worst possible situ- team to top spot in qualify- ation that a father can face.” coach had ing Group F. The press conference Andy Murray. resigned from And Rubiales said the plan did not clear up what had for a smooth transition back happened between Luis En- Murray tells Spain’s top job to Luis Enrique never came rique and Robert Moreno to fruition because of events that meant they could not sceptics to give five months ago leading up to that last match. go back to their previous On Sunday there was an arrangement of head coach new Davis Cup to care of his exchange between Spain’s and assistant. director of football Jose Fran- Rubiales was asked repeat- a chance sick daughter cisco Molina and Moreno edly to spread some light on in which the coach asked to the matter but he said: “That’s AFP DPA Unfinished project know what was happening. their personal relationship, MADRID BARCELONA I am grateful that he does, He was told everything we can’t answer that.” would be sorted out after the He added: “This is his ANDY Murray believes negativ- THE president of the Spanish take charge of Spain until qualification matches were project. Tragedy interrupted ity around the reformed Davis Football Federation (RFEF), the 2022 World Cup in completed. it but he is now back.” Cup has been unfair and is urg- Luis Rubiales, confirmed in a Qatar. This is his project. But he then sent a mes- Rubiales said he did not ing people to give the new com- press conference on Tuesday Tragedy interrupted it but sage on Monday to Rubiales know when Luis Enrique petition a chance to succeed. that Luis Enrique would re- he is now back. saying that he wanted to leave would sit down before the The inaugural Finals of turn to his job as Spain coach “so as not to impede the re- media and confirm his new the 119-year-old tournament up to, and including, the Qa- – Spanish Football Federation turn of Luis Enrique”. coaching staff. started on Monday in Madrid, tar World Cup in 2022. President Luis Rubiales Rubiales said he respond- He said there were no where 18 teams will now com- “Luis Enrique wants to, ed to that message by calling plans for Luis Enrique to at- pete across the week at the and I am grateful that he Luis Enrique on Monday to tend the European Champi- Caja Magica for the chance to does, take charge of Spain came aware of Luis Enrique’s offer him the job. onship draw on November 30. play in Sunday’s final. until the 2022 World Cup in desire to return when he was “Luis Enrique said yes, Asked if he felt RFEF had Barcelona footballer Qatar,” said Rubiales. told by Moreno. immediately and he thanked “destroyed” Moreno’s career. Gerard Pique has been at the “We sat here in June to He then met with Luis us for keeping our word,” Ru- Rubiales said: “We always heart of the changes after his say that (Robert) Moreno Enrique on October 31 when biales said. made it clear the door was open marketing company Kosmos was taking over (from Luis the 49-year-old confirmed Rubiales said that he had (for Luis Enrique to retun). struck a $3billion deal over 25 Enrique) but we have always A file photo shows Spain’s Luis Enrique as he applauds his team his intention. wanted to meet face to face “He (Moreno) is now is a years with the International been very transparent that during an international friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina at the Rubiales said: “We then with Moreno on Tuesday coach with a name. This situ- Tennis Federation. the door was open for Luis Gran Canaria Stadium in Las Palmas. (AFP) wanted to talk to all parties morning but the coach had ation has been generated by “I think generally people Enrique if he wanted to come once the qualification for the declined to attend the federa- Robert because he decided to have been fairly negative about back,” he added. charge in June when Luis before she died of bone can- Euros had ended.” tion headquarters and sent go on the day of last game. the new concepts,” Murray Moreno was assistant Enrique resigned to care for cer in August. Spain thrashed Romania two lawyers in his place. We did not want it that way said in a press conference on coach with Spain but he took his nine-year-old daughter Rubiales said he first be- 5-0 on Monday in their final Rubiales defended RFEF but we respect his decision.” Monday. “I just feel in tennis sometimes we are quite reluc- tant to make changes and this is a big change. I feel like we should give it an opportunity Coutinho stars as Brazil outclass Korea in friendly France edge to opening win to see how it goes.” Participation from the AFP classed here, despite the pres- over Japan in Davis Cup game’s top players had dwin- ABU DHABI ence of Tottenham Hotspur star dled as the previous system re- Son Heung-min in their line-up. AFP among them Barcelona foot- quired winning teams to play BRAZIL ended a run of five Once again Neymar was ab- MADRID baller Gerard Pique, hoping a four weekends across the year. games without a win by easing sent for Brazil, with the world’s tighter schedule will revital- Organisers hope the prestig- to a 3-0 victory over South Ko- most expensive player having FRANCE survived an early ise the prestigious trophy. ious trophy can be revitalised in rea in a friendly in Abu Dhabi stayed behind at PSG to work scare in the Davis Cup on Former French Open a more congested format, with on Tuesday with Philippe on his fitness after suffering an Tuesday as the tournament’s semi-finalist Filip Dewulf Murray, Novak Djokovic and Coutinho scoring the pick of injury playing for his country in top seeds had to win a close tweeted on Monday that Rafael Nadal all in attendance the goals. a 1-1 draw with Nigeria in Sin- deciding set in a decisive dou- there were only 15 people this week. Coutinho, currently on loan gapore a month ago. bles rubber to beat Japan in sitting in the stands for Bel- “They’ve done a really good at Bayern Munich from Barce- Perhaps his absence helped Madrid. gium against Colombia while job with the facilities,” said Mur- lona, curled a free-kick from 22 explain why the Mohammed Even without their in- women’s world number 59 ray. “The team room is really yards high into the net to put bin Zayed Stadium was barely jured star Kei Nishikori, Ja- Alize Cornet aimed a mes- good, the food and the transport Brazil 2-0 up after 35 minutes. half full for the game. pan came close to recording sage at Pique, in which she has been good. There’s nothing Before that he had played Coach Tite made five chang- a major upset on the second wrote: “Dear Gerard, I can really to complain about so far. a part in the opener, produc- es to his starting line-up follow- day at the Caja Magica before see that you’ve never been “It feels like there’s a few ing some delightful footwork Brazil’s Philippe Coutinho shoots a free kick during the friendly ing the Argentina defeat, with experienced French duo Nico- to a REAL Davis Cup! And people that want to bash the to pick out Renan Lodi, whose against South Korea on Tuesday. (AFP) Lodi and Coutinho coming into las Mahut and Pierre-Hugues that’s not it”. event before it’s started. I think cross from the left was headed the side along with PSG centre- Herbert pulled the 10-time Better crowds were ex- they have to let that go and wait in from close range by AC Milan first-time drive from just out- been played on neutral ground, back Marquinhos, Liverpool champions over the line. pected to watch Rafael Nadal for the event to finish before midfielder Lucas Paqueta. side the area. with this match coming after a midfielder Fabinho and Ever- Their 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-5 in Spain’s evening tie against we give a fair view on what this Atletico Madrid left-back It is a first victory in six 1-0 defeat at the hands of Ar- ton forward Richarlison. victory against Ben McLa- Russia but the three stadi- event is now.” Lodi, 21, also set up the third friendly outings for the Selecao gentina last Friday. Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz chlan and Yasutaka Uchiy- ums were all far from full for Roger Federer and Alexan- goal which arrived shortly after since their triumph at the Copa Five days after a 0-0 draw in was handed his debut as a late ama clinched victory for Tuesday’s morning session, der Zverev are the most high- half-time, his low delivery pick- America on home soil in July. Lebanon in a 2022 World Cup substitute in what is a reassur- France after Gael Monfils as Argentina beat Chile 3-0 profile absentees while there are ing out Danilo to score with a All of those matches have qualifier, South Korea were out- ing victory for Brazil.