Robert Moreno hit back at Luis Enrique's criticism by defending his own role as interim Spain manager, saying: "everybody is aware that had I not continued [taken the Spain role], he would not be national team coach [today]."
During his unveiling on Wednesday, Luis Enrique said Moreno's ambition to continue at the helm of the national team through Euro 2020 made him "disloyal". He also said Moreno would no longer be a part of his coaching staff despite the two having worked together since 2008.
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Moreno, who left the job last Tuesday after the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) reappointed Luis Enrique, read a statement on Thursday: "Yesterday I was attacked in a very personal way and I was accused of something I'm not. This is a very unpleasant time, it's not what I wanted.
"I don't deserve the things that were said, which were nasty. My pieces of the puzzle are missing. I need to step up and I did it. It should not be forgotten that, had I not carried on, Luis Enrique would not be manager."
Moreno was promoted as Spain coach in June after Luis Enrique left the position in June to care for his younger daughter, who was diagnosed with bone cancer.
"Nobody knew how long Luis Enrique's situation would last but he was consulted on everything," Moreno said.
He also said he had Luis Enrique's blessing to take the Spain job having temporarily taken charge in March.
"Before the meeting on Sept. 12, which Luis Enrique referred to, there was an earlier meeting in which Luis Enrique told me that I did what I had to do [to take the Spain job]," he said. "That I was doing a good job and that he was proud of what I had done.
"No one knew how long Luis Enrique's situation would last."
Luis Enrique announced the death of his daughter Xana on Aug .29. Moreno said he met Luis Enrique again on Sept. 12 and told him in person as he had stated to the press, that he would step aside if needed.
"To my surprise he said that that was fine but that he no longer was counting on my services," Moreno said. "I was in a a state of shock.
"I spent 10 days feeling terrible, asking myself what had I done wrong for Luis Enrique not to want to work with me anymore? I only found out through the press that Luis Enrique was considering returning to coach Spain after the game [7-0 win over Malta on Nov. 15] in Cadiz.
"I had been faithful until I told the federation to discuss my contract termination knowing then that Luis Enrique was going to return and was not counting on my services. To this day I don't know why Luis Enrique doesn't want to work with me."
Moreno worked with Luis Enrique at Roma, Celta Vigo and Barcelona before becoming part of his national team set-up.
"I am the first to be delighted that Luis Enrique has returned to coaching and that his staff can win the European Championship," he said. "From now on, I will continue my career as first team coach.
"I am eager to train, to take my own decisions."
Spain completed their Euro 2020 qualification with a 5-0 win over Romania on Nov. 1, to seal top seeding in what was Moreno's last game in charge.