Pep Guardiola Pays Classy Tribute To Luis Enrique

Just like Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique returned to his old stomping ground to manage the club to glory following a stint as a player. And like his friend, he'll be cutting short his time at the Camp Nou.

Enrique starred for Barcelona in the 90's and early 00's having made the switch from fierce rivals Real Madrid, winning the La Liga, Copa del Rey, to name but a few.

_{(Watch Neymar score a stunning goal in training:)}

_{(Video via FC Barcelona)}

But while he enjoyed success as a player, his managerial exploits have confirmed his legendary status at the club. After retiring from playing, he started as a manager with Barca's B team before stints at Roma and Celta Vigo.

_{(Enrique gets unveiled as Barcelona manager in 2014)}

Eventually returning to Barcelona in 2014. As manager, Enrique has won back-to-back La Liga titles, Copa del Rey titles not to mention the coveted Champions League in 2015.

But after the 6-1 win against his hometown club Sporting Gijon, he revealed that he will leave the club at the end of the season.

_{(Guardiola and Enrique embrace after he returns to Barcelona with Bayern Munich)}

And following the confirmation of his exit, the Manchester City boss has paid tribute with a brilliant and classy message via The Independent;

"I have two reactions. My first is like a Barcelona fan - because it is the club of my heart - and I am so sad."

"We are going to miss the perfect trainer for Barcelona - his personality, his character. He has had two or three years and played some unbelievable football with unbelievable players."

"The second point is if he decided that, I can understand him completely and of course I wish him the best luck. And finally, like all the membership from Barcelona, I want to say thank you for all you have done in these three years at my club."

_{(The pair on the touchline during the City vs. Barca Champions League group game earlier in the season)}

"As an FC Barcelona fan, it is sad because there are few managers in the world better than Luis Enrique."

"He is a master because as manager of FC Barcelona you must take tough decisions there and his team has played with the best for the last two or three years."

"I still think they are the best team in the world and I am upset he is not going to be there but I understand because I was there myself before and I wish him the best."

Class, Pep.

Topics: Luis Enrique, Pep Guardiola, Barcelona

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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