"The last 10 minutes of the previous match and the first 10 minutes of this one were shameful. We don't deserve the money we're being paid," Moreno said after Sochi's 4-0 loss to Akron on 27/7. "The whole team should forfeit at least half their salaries. Me included. If we can't do it together, I'll still forfeit mine. We don't deserve this money."
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Moreno has managed Sochi since 12/2023. Photo: PFC Sochi |
Moreno has managed Sochi since 12/2023. Photo: PFC Sochi
Sochi conceded three goals in the first 13 minutes against Akron, with the visitors sealing the victory in the 44th minute. In their opening match, Sochi lost 3-0 to Lokomotiv. Moreno's team currently sits bottom of the Russian Premier League with zero points, zero goals scored, and seven goals conceded.
"It's embarrassing and humiliating. I want to apologize to the club, the staff, the management, and above all, the fans," Moreno added.
Moreno took charge of Sochi in 12/2023 when the club was bottom of the Russian Premier League. Despite the arrival of the former Spain coach, Sochi were relegated five months later. In 5/2025, Sochi beat Pari Nizhny Novgorod 4-3 on aggregate in a play-off to return to the top flight. However, after losing the first leg 2-1 at home, Moreno did not manage the second leg. According to the club, he was absent due to family reasons.
Moreno previously worked as an assistant to Luis Enrique at Roma, Celta Vigo, Barcelona, and the Spanish national team. In 3/2019, he took temporary charge of Spain when Enrique took a break due to his daughter's illness. Following Enrique's resignation in 6/2019, Moreno was appointed on a contract until Euro 2021. However, five months later, he resigned, and Enrique was reappointed, despite Moreno's unbeaten record and securing qualification for the Euros. Enrique excluded Moreno from his coaching staff, citing "disloyalty and excessive ambition."
Since leaving the Spanish national team, Moreno has struggled at club level. His tenures at Monaco and Granada lasted only seven and eight months, respectively.
Thanh Quy (via Marca)
