Pep Guardiola has paid tribute to Luis Enrique, following his announcement that he will be leaving Barcelona at the end of the season.
The Man City manager, who previously held Enrique's position at the Spanish club, said he was 'sad' to hear the news, and described his former teammate as 'the perfect trainer' for Barcelona.
"I have two reactions. As a Barcelona fan, as a supporter, the club of my heart, I am so sad."
"We are going to miss the perfect trainer for his personality, his character. In his three years he played unbelievable football with unbelievable players."
"The second, if he has decided that, I understand him completely and of course I wish him the best."
"As a fan, from the membership of Barcelona, I say thank you for all he has done in three years at my club.''
Enrique announced his decision to step down last night, following Barcelona's 6-1 win over Sporting Gijon, which put them top of the La Liga table for the first time since the first week of the season.
The club later published a statement on its website, in which Enrique thanked the club for the last three seasons that he was in charge.
The 46-year-old has come under mounting pressure, after his side shipped an emphatic 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the first leg of their Round of 16 Champions League clash.
According to the Daily Telegraph, no team has ever come back from a first leg four-goal deficit in the Champions League era.
Barcelona will attempt to do that when they welcome the French side to the Camp Nou for the return leg on March 8.
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