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Thu 24 February 2022 | 11:30

Top facts about Robert Moreno, Spanish coach

Robert Moreno became Spain head coach in June 2019 when Luis Enrique decided to step down from the job, and he led the team as they qualified for Euro 2020. Read on to find out more facts about Robert Moreno, former Spain boss.

Robert Moreno González is a Spanish football coach who was born on September 19, 1977 in Barcelona. In his teens, Robert Moreno began working as a coach.

Robert Moreno age

is 44. Here, you can find the most important facts about Robert Moreno, ex-Spain manager.

The first fact about Robert Moreno is that he was discovered by

Luis Enrique

and worked as his video analyst at FC Barcelona B and AS Roma before becoming his assistant at Celta Vigo and

FC Barcelona

, where he won several titles.

He followed him to the Spanish team in 2018 and served as interim coach in 2019 before being fired upon his return. He had his first experience as the head coach of a professional club at the end of 2019 when he joined AS Monaco, where he only stayed for a few months. He joined Granada CF in June 2021.

Rather than following the typical path from the field to the dugout, Moreno, who was born in Barcelona in 1977, began his career as a coach at an early age.

An important fact about Robert Moreno is that he began his coaching career at a local level in Catalonia, where he worked for many teams, notably Damm, a youth club known for its player development. He landed a job at Barcelona B, where he met Luis Enrique, by nurturing young players.

Top facts about Robert Moreno:

Robert Moreno played youth and amateur football before becoming Luis Enrique's assistant at many clubs and the Spanish national team.

Before Luis Enrique returned to his post as manager of the national team in 2019, Moreno took over as his mentor's successor and qualified the team for UEFA Euro 2020. He then became the manager of Ligue 1 team Monaco in France.

Robert Moreno early life

Robert Moreno was born in Barcelona in 1977, the only son of a Cáceres-born mother and a father from the Andalusian town of Pilas, in the province of Seville.

Regarding

Robert Moreno’s parents

, it should be mentioned that the latter worked as an upholsterer and played football as a central defender in Spain's fourth division. Moreno, a young man, tried his hand at football.

Speaking about

Robert Moreno’s childhood

, it is worth mentioning that although he stood out in school, he was unable to establish himself as a player in the discipline.

Robert Moreno began coaching at the age of fourteen, on the advice of his father, in his family's neighborhood club in La Florida de L'Hospitalet, Catalonia. Soon after, his father assumed the presidency of the club, a position he held for the next twelve years.

Robert Moreno professional career

Robert Moreno was an assistant to current Spain coach Luis Enrique at

AS Roma

, Celta Vigo, and Barcelona before joining the national team in 2018.

He became acting head coach in March 2019 when Luis Enrique temporarily stepped aside after his daughter was diagnosed with cancer.

However, he was removed from the role in November 2019 after Luis Enrique decided to return as coach three months after his daughter passed away.

Luis Enrique claimed Moreno wished to stay on as head coach and lead the team into the European Championship before allowing him to return as head coach, accusing his old deputy of being "disloyal" and saying he no longer wanted to work with him.

Moreno said he felt he did not deserve to be treated that way by his former boss and denied being disloyal. In 2021,

Granada

appointed former Spain coach Robert Moreno as their new head coach. They finished the ninth in La Liga.

Robert Moreno coaching career

A notable fact about Robert Moreno is that he graduated as a first-level coach at the Catalan Federation a year before starting university.

At 26 years old, he was the youngest of his promotion to receive the final degree of the national coaching diploma in 2003. Simultaneously, Robert Moreno studied Law for a year before dropping out to pursue a degree in Commerce and International Relations at the University of Barcelona.

During this time, he supports himself by working in the hairdressers' floor of El Corte Inglés, a shopping center in Cornellà de Llobregat, and in a bank, La Caixa. He also holds a master's degree in tactics and training and quickly specialized in player scouting.

An important

fact about Robert Moreno

is that he has coached youth teams in Catalonia since 2003, including Penya Blaugrana Collblanc, L'Hospitalet, UE Castelldefels, and CF Damm.

Luis Enrique's assistant

Robert Moreno was hired as a video analyst for FC Barcelona B, the club's reserve team, in the summer of 2010. Following a successful first collaboration (2010-2011), Luis Enrique renewed his trust in the young analyst the following year.

Enrique was followed by Robert Moreno to AS Roma in 2011. The club had a disappointing season, being eliminated in the preliminary rounds of the Europa League and finishing seventh in the championship, depriving it of European Cup qualification for the first time since the 1996-1997 season.

In agreement with the club's leaders, Luis Enrique decides to leave at the end of the season. Robert Moreno follows him out of the club.

In 2013, he wrote an essay called Mi receta del 4-4-2 (My 4-4-2 recipe), which was published by the publishing house he co-founded with his wife.

Luis Enrique joins

Celta de Vigo

as an assistant coach for the 2013-2014 season. The club remains unconcerned in La Liga, and Luis Enrique is hired by FC Barcelona, taking Robert Moreno with him.

During the 2014-2015 season, Barcelona won the Spanish title for the 23rd time, the Copa del Rey for the 27th time, and the Champions League for the fifth time against

Juventus

. After the 2009 treble, this is the second Championship-Cup-C1 treble.

The Catalan club also won the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup in 2015. FC Barcelona won the Spanish championship and the King's Cup again in 2015-2016, but were eliminated from the Champions League in the quarter-finals.

The 2016-2017 season kicks off with a win in the Supercopa de Espaa. Despite finishing second in La Liga and reaching the C1 quarter-finals, the club won the King's Cup. Moreno won the Champions League, two Spanish championships, three Copa del Reys, a Spanish Super Cup, and a Club World Cup with Barcelona.

During Luis Enrique's sabbatical year in 2017-2018, Robert Moreno worked as an assistant for Celta Vigo Juan Carlos Unzué, who was also Luis Enrique's assistant at Barça. When Luis Enrique was named coach of the Spain team in July 2018, he once again became his assistant.

Spain

He took over as head of the Spanish team on March 26, 2019, after Luis Enrique stepped down due to his daughter's illness. La Roja won its three matches under his command, defeating Malta (2-0), the Faroe Islands (4-1) and Sweden (3-0).

In June 2019, Luis Enrique resigns as Spain's coach to attend to the final days of his daughter's life, who is suffering from a serious illness. Robert Moreno has been appointed Head Coach. Spain has seven wins and two draws in nine matches under his leadership, with 29 goals scored and four conceded.

On November 27, sometime after his daughter's death, Luis Enrique resumes his position and requests and receives the dismissal of Robert Moreno.

"On September 12, during a twenty-minute meeting at my house, I told him I felt good and wanted to coach again," he says. He told me that he wanted to lead the team to the Euro before returning as my assistant the following summer. In my opinion, being so ambitious given the circumstances is unjust. As a result, I decided to do without him."

An important fact about Robert Moreno is that he declares that he does not understand this complaint. He believes that if he had not served as interim coach, another coach would have been appointed and Luis Enrique would not have been able to resume his position.

AS Monaco

Robert Moreno takes over as coach of AS Monaco on Saturday, December 28, 2019, after signing a two-and-a-half-year contract until June 2022. Leonardo Jardim 5 is replaced by the technician. On July 18, 2020, Robert Moreno will be relieved of his coaching duties.

Granada CF

A notable fact about Robert Moreno is that he took over as manager of Granada CF on June 18, 2021.

Robert Moreno coaching style

Following his appointment at AS Monaco, the sporting director of a mid-table La Liga club stated, "In Spain, he is considered a pioneer in scouting and one of the best observation analysts." He still needs to prove himself in human resource management."

An important

fact about Robert Moreno

is that he is a great follower of new technologies and is generally described as very sharp in the preparation of set pieces and the study of opponents.

Few coaches are given the chance to lead their national team as head coach. Without previous experience as a head coach, many fewer people are given that chance. That is precisely the situation in which Robert Moreno found himself when he took over as coach of the Spanish national team in March 2019.

Following Luis Enrique's departure for to personal reasons, the former long-time assistant was catapulted into the role of Spain's head coach. With an unblemished record, the 42-year-old turned many heads in international football as he led

Spain

to EURO 2020 qualifying.

Moreno was then labeled "disloyal" by Enrique when the two had a falling out, which resulted in Moreno's departure from the Spanish national team and Enrique reclaiming his post.

Moreno's outstanding 77.78 percent victory rate, on the other hand, did not go ignored. Moreno was named the new head coach of Monaco only a month after resigning from Spain.

At Monaco, the enthralling young coach had made an immediate impression. He'd already led his new squad to a thrilling 3-3 tie with PSG at Le Parc des Princes.

Cesc Fabregas

, Monaco's captain, has praised his new coach, saying that the Barcelona-trained coach has brought "discipline and a style of play" to Les Monégasques.

The heavy usage of positional flexibility has been one of the most important characteristics of Moreno's playing approach so far.

Throughout Moreno's time as coach of the Spanish national team, this aspect of his strategy was evident. Even in the early days of Moreno's stay at Monaco, it was evident that positional mobility would be a significant aspect of his strategy in the future.

An important fact about Robert Moreno is that he gives his players a lot of freedom in terms of positional flexibility while they're in control. This gives his players a lot of leeway and room to express themselves on the field. Moreno's use of positional fluidity was particularly evident in three areas during his time in Spain.

To begin with, Moreno's central-midfielders frequently occupied wide areas during the build-up. For Moreno's holding midfielders in Spain, this kind of movement in the build-up was a recurrent motif. In order to avoid the opponent's pressure, Moreno's Spain would often evacuate the key regions during the build-up.

As the midfielders gained control in space, they were able to transfer the ball to more dangerous areas on the flanks, where Spain had stationed more players.

The mobility of the centre-forwards was another way Moreno's Spain made use of positional flexibility. Moreno's centre-forwards were regularly seen making wide, outer runs from the pitch's center towards crossing zones. These runs were successful in dislodging opposing center-backs from their positions.

As a result, there was more room for Spanish attackers to probe and attempt to get onto the end of a cross.

During Moreno's time in Spain,

Alvaro Morata

was regularly spotted making similar broad, outside runs. He provided space for Spanish midfielders and the opposing winger to get into the box when he took the ball and moved towards the edge of the area. During Moreno's presidency, this was a successful strategy for developing opportunities for Spain.

Finally, the interchange between the '8's and the wingers was the third most prevalent example of positional flexibility in Moreno's Spain.

This kind of positional exchange worked well in terms of making room for players to receive the ball. Sarabia loses his marker, the Maltese right-back, as he moves to the center.

He finds himself in the half-space, where he may receive a pass from

Rodri

. Sarabia is then able to connect with Morata, resulting in a perilous position for Malta to cope with.

The significance of positional flexibility in Moreno's Spain is shown by these instances. We feel this is an important component of his strategy, which we will see more of as he progresses as a manager.

Moreno's use of positional fluidity aids his sides in maintaining control of the ball and being positive and creative with it. This aspect of his coaching is already showing up in Granada, and we should expect to see more of it as his time there progresses.

Moreno's usage of overlapping full-backs was a crucial component of his tactics with Spain. With Spain, Moreno preferred to play his full-backs quite high up the field. A big part of his role as Spain's coach would have been to assist his team in preparing to break through deep-blocks.

His usage of fullbacks, paired with off-the-ball movement from others, was crucial in assisting his team in doing this.

Moreno's Spain was known for its cross-field pass from the center-back to the overlapping full-back. Opposing defenses struggled to stop this ball without giving Spain room in the middle. As a consequence, this ball began to appear often in Spanish sports.

As Granada faces more defensive-minded opponents, we anticipate to see them use this kind of pass more often.

Under Moreno, Spain's usage of overlapping full-backs was both inventive and deadly. This strategy worked effectively for them in terms of moving the ball and creating clear-cut opportunities. As time goes on, we anticipate to see Granada using more and more similar strategies.

There were much fewer instances of overlapping full-backs in Moreno's two Ligue 1 games against PSG. This was due to PSG's offensive quality, as well as Moreno's selection of midfielders at Monaco. However, we had previously seen hints of this strategy in work in

Monaco

.

In both games against

PSG

, Monaco's full-backs barely went forward. This was done to establish balance in their structure and defend against PSG's 'wonderful four' counter-attacking threat.

Against PSG, a Monaco '8' was forced to sit back beside Bakayoko when the full-backs overlapped. It was worth it at times, as Monaco's full-backs offered a new dimension to the assault.

Monaco, on the other hand, lost their defensive balance in the first game against PSG. Henrichs, in particular, made forays forward on occasion, while none of Monaco's midfielders sat back. Monaco's formation became unbalanced as a result, which PSG took advantage of.

As PSG replied, Martins was forced to track back at times due to the imbalance. PSG took on Martins on two of these instances during the course of the two games, gaining a penalty. PSG were able to deploy

Kylian Mbappé

or

Neymar

down the flank on other occasions, causing issues for Monaco's undermanned defense.

This mismatch in Monaco's structure was frequently immediately corrected, and the full-backs' overlapping was reduced.

We'll have to wait and watch whether this component of Moreno's strategy improves in important games as time goes on. It might simply be a case of teething issues as Granada and Moreno settle in.

However, it's not out of the realms of possibility that Moreno's tactical naivete stems from his experience with Spain, when he could afford to commit more players forward more regularly. Granada might continue to use similar aggressive methods against lesser opponents. Against Liga giants, though, they surely caused defensive lapses.

A notable fact about Robert Moreno is that he likes to attack with three players dominating key zones, as we briefly mentioned before. Throughout the game, the specific player(s) who join the centre-forward(s) in the middle zones varies.

Another facet of Moreno's positional mobility is that he can play in a center attacking area with a variety of teammates. The three primary bodies, on the other hand, are a permanent aspect of Moreno's strategy.

The choice to go with three center strikers gave Spain a lot of attacking possibilities. Furthermore, putting three guys in the middle of the field generates room in other locations.

When the wide attackers get the ball, the attackers' positioning keeps the back four tight and prevents the full-backs from closing down the wide attackers.

The three center attackers work well together to create the space that Spain's overlapping full-backs need to surge into. As a consequence, Moreno's narrow central three assist their team in moving the ball up the field merely by situating themselves.

Last but not least, we'll talk about Moreno's pressing technique. During Moreno's tenure in control of Spain, this was a continuous and important part of his strategy.

Moreno's Spain pushed hard to reclaim possession in risky locations as fast as possible. Their press quality and effectiveness assisted them in preventing their opponents from building out from the back at all.

Moreno's Spain tactics included a lot of aggressive pushing. They favored winning the ball high on the pitch. Moreno's Spain often controlled possession as a consequence of their press and ball quality.

Moreno's defensive tactics against PSG with Monaco were very different from his aggressive push with Spain. Moreno's Monaco, as a result of PSG's indisputable brilliance, played significantly more passively out of possession against PSG than Moreno's Spain had.

Monaco was able to successfully defend more passively and win the ball back in their own half at Le Parc des Princes as a consequence of PSG's impatient offensive tactics. PSG, on the other hand, learnt from their errors in the follow-up game a few days later and played much more slowly as a consequence.

Monaco was compelled to defend more aggressively as a result of PSG's first goal and their more patient approach.

Monaco's adjustment to a more aggressive press helped them become more involved in this game against PSG at home.

This is likely to become a prominent aspect of Moreno's Granada. As they play inferior opponents, we anticipate Granada to defend considerably more vigorously.

To sum up this tactical study, Robert Moreno has shown a variety of tactically noteworthy concepts throughout his time with Spain and Monaco. Moreno will bring an entertaining, possession-based game to Granada if his time in Spain and 'Barcelona education' are any indication.

Moreno tends to want his teams to control the ball. However, as previously mentioned, his chance creation includes a high number of straight, cross-field balls.

In addition, he prefers to use overlapping full-backs to take advantage of space rather than compact blocks. In the build-up, these two variables commonly combine to expedite play.

Moreno's teams tend to use a high level of positional flexibility, which aids his team's possession circulation. With time, we anticipate to see more of this from Granada, and it is another aspect of his game that significantly facilitates chance creation.

Robert Moreno quotes

About what led to his appointment as Monaco coach, he has said:  "They were looking for me. They had conducted extensive research and observed my work with the national squad as well as my connection with the media. 'Someone who has had to go through that circumstance will be driven to show that people made a mistake losing him,' stated the vice-president of Monaco, who was relayed to me.”

"How do they expect you to perform here?" I had come to assist Monaco continue to be the outstanding club that it had always been in France and Europe. This team prides itself on investing in young players, and we aimed to play a fun, aggressive style to please our supporters."

He has said about comparing national and club coaching: "Both of them appeal to me. With all the player monitoring and data that comes with coaching the national team, it might seem like you're a technical director at times, but I'm secure in my day-to-day coaching.”

“Although the burden is obvious since there are more matches, I like assisting players in becoming better and analysing our opponents. I can now show what I've been working on since I was fourteen years old."

About the most painful aspect of his dismissal as Spain coach, he has said: "Apart from death, everything can be conquered, and I've learnt that things only harm you depending on how you perceive them. It was upsetting to me since the people around me were suffering.”

“I shut myself off and sought for ways to avoid confrontation. I didn't want to get into a verbal brawl; I knew I had a future beyond Spain, and it wasn't worth my time to remark on anything unpleasant. I aimed to do as little harm to my people as possible. Anyone would want to be able to protect oneself, but I knew it wouldn't assist me and would just add gasoline to the fire."

"People don't have to give me their time. Giving answers causes more damage to those affected; I have to go down the street and people stare at me, but I have had a great deal of support. On the street, an elderly woman complimented me.”

“I resisted the need to retaliate and ultimately maintained my cool. I'm doing something I like today, and I was the coach of a Spain team that qualified for a tournament without losing, despite the fact that the finish is stained in history. Oscar provided me some advice that has been with me for a long time and has helped me speak about the problem.”

About his favorite memories from his time with the national team, he has said: "We tried new things with a defensive three and two wing-backs in the first match against Sweden, when I was still temporary coach. We won 2-1 at home against Romania in the most recent encounter, which was remarkable since it had never been done before.”

“The conclusion of those months was a seven-goal victory against

Malta

. We understood how to target defensive teams, and everything went according to plan. The Romania match was a flawless display by the squad, and it was a lovely farewell from the players."

With La Roja, did you have complete control over player selection?

He has said that he had the complete control over player selection, "Without a doubt. I was the coach, with all the responsibilities it entails. With respect to my judgments, I did not seek approval from anybody. I became a national coach on June 19 and made all of my decisions from that point forward.”

“I didn't need to seek advice from anybody. Why should I bother? Luis Aragones and Vicente del Bosque didn't consult anybody, and I served as their coach as well.”

"We went with a 4-3-3 formation with the goal of being the aggressors with the ball, but systems are subjective. What matters is how you occupy places, and there are subtleties you can use to assist your team. In Spain, we had the proper players for that fundamental structure."

About his thoughts on Barcelona’s lack of quality in some games, he has said, "They play well, just the way I like it.

Atletico Madrid

, Getafe, and Lopetegui's

Sevilla

are all in good form. Winning is about playing well, but my approach revolves on possession, which is really a means to an end.”

“We make every effort to retrieve the ball as quickly as feasible. We set up the counter attack against Barcelona with Neymar, Messi, and Luis Suarez, and everyone was stunned. Why am I going to quit utilizing anything when we couldn't limit the attributes those three possessed? Is it for only selfish reasons that I value possession?”

“The players are the most significant persons. Louis Van Gaal once claimed that the team is more important than any individual player, and the club is more important than the team. You must be modest in that hierarchy."

Some quick facts about Robert Moreno:

Born in the Catalan town of L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Moreno was a central defender for La Florida CF, his hometown club.

When his physical education teacher asked him to assist in class at the age of 14, he developed an interest in coaching. He began managing La Florida CF's Alevn squad with Antonio Camacho when he was 16 years old.

A notable

fact about Robert Moreno

is that he began his professional coaching career in 2003, when he took charge of Penya Blaugrana Collblanc, after becoming the youngest manager in the country.

From there, he managed the youth teams of CE L'Hospitalet, CD Marianao Poblet, UE Castelldefels, CF Damm, and UE Castelldefels. He also took over the first team of Castelldefels in 2006, but was fired in March of the following year.

Moreno served as an assistant manager under Luis Enrique at Roma (2011–2012), Celta de Vigo (2013–2014), and Barcelona (2014–2017) after working as a scout for FC Barcelona during the 2010–11 season.

He helped Juan Carlos Unzué at Celta for the 2017–18 season before rejoining Luis Enrique for the Spain national team in July 2018.

Moreno took command of the national squad in a 2–0 victory against Malta on March 26, 2019, when Luis Enrique was forced to quit due to personal issues. He was also in charge of the next two matches, which were against the Faroe Islands and Sweden, respectively.

Following Luis Enrique's resignation due to his daughter's sickness, Moreno was named the team's head coach on June 19, 2019, following three matches in charge of Spain on an interim basis.

He signed a deal that will last through the completion of the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament. Despite an undefeated record and qualification for UEFA Euro 2020, Moreno resigned five months later and was replaced by his predecessor Luis Enrique.

For wanting to lead Spain in Euro 2020, Luis Enrique fired Moreno from his coaching team, calling him "disloyal" and "extremely ambitious."

Moreno was appointed the next manager of Ligue 1 team Monaco on December 28, 2019, replacing Leonardo Jardim.

He won his debut match 2–1 at home against

Reims

in the last 64 of the Coupe de France a week later. The squad from the principality drew 3–3 against leaders Paris Saint-Germain FC in his first league encounter on January 12th.

Moreno was fired on July 18, 2020, after finishing the season in 9th place and losing out on European qualifying. Moreno was named the next head coach of La Liga team Granada on June 18, 2021, on a two-year deal. On his debut, he drew 0–0 with

Villarreal CF

on August 16.

Robert Moreno social media

Regarding

Robert Moreno social media

, it should be mentioned that he does not have any pages on any social media platforms.

Robert Moreno body measurements

Speaking about

Robert Moreno body measurements

, it should be mentioned that the coach is 178 cm and 75 kg.

Robert Moreno net worth and salary

In the years 2021-2022,

Robert Moreno’s net worth

has increased dramatically. So, at the age of 44, how much is Roberto Moreno worth? Roberto Moreno makes the most of his money as a successful instructor. His net worth is estimated to be over $12 million.

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