MONTE CARLO: Robert Moreno, recently deposed manager of Spain, has been appointed boss of former French champions Monaco in place of Leonardo Jardim.

Moreno had spent the bulk of his career as an assistant to Luis Enrique but became Spain coach in June after his mentor stepped down after his daughter Xana was diagnosed with cancer. She died in August.

In the meantime Moreno led Spain to Euro 2020 qualification as runaway Group F winners, earning four victories and two draws as head coach as well as three wins while in temporary charge of the team while Luis Enrique was on leave.

The 42-year-old was expected to remain in charge of Spain until the end of next year’s tournament until Luis Enrique decided to return to the role in November and declared he no longer wanted to work with Moreno due to a personal falling out.

Luis Enrique claimed in a news conference that Moreno had wanted to take charge of the team at Euro 2020 before allowing his former boss to return to the role, describing his long-time colleague as “disloyal”.

Moreno, an international relations graduate who did not play football professionally, worked alongside Luis Enrique at AS Roma, Celta Vigo, Barca and with Spain as well as having a short stint at Celta as assistant to Juan Carlos Unzue.

Jardim led Monaco to the Ligue 1 title and a remarkable run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2017 but was relieved of his duties in October 2018 following a disastrous start to the season.

The Portuguese coach was appointed again little more than three months later, however, after his successor Thierry Henry was dismissed.

He departs once more with the principality club seventh in Ligue 1, 17 points adrift of leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

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