Pep Guardiola "sad" for Barcelona following imminent departure of Luis Enrique

Bayern Munich's Spanish head coach Pep Guardiola (L) and Barcelona's coach Luis Enrique greet each other before the UEFA Champions League football match FC Barcelona vs FC Bayern Muenchen at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on May 6, 2015
© Getty Images
Former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola is "upset" about the news that close friend Luis Enrique will leave the club at the end of the season after three years in charge.

Pep Guardiola has claimed that Barcelona will lose the "perfect trainer" at the end of the season when head coach Luis Enrique steps down.

The 46-year-old announced on Wednesday evening that he will not be extending his stay at Camp Nou beyond the summer following three years at the helm.

Current Manchester City boss Guardiola, who has a 22-year association with the Catalan club, wished former teammate Enrique luck in his next managerial challenge but believes that he is leaving behind the world's best side.

"As a Barcelona fan, I'm sad that we'll miss the perfect trainer for Barcelona," he told reporters. "In his three years [the team] has played unbelievable football. I understand him completely and I wish him the best.

"From a membership point, I'd like to thank him for all he's done for the club. There are few better managers in the world than Luis Enrique. I still think they are the best team in the world. I'm upset he's not going to be there anymore, but I wish him the best."

Enrique won the treble in his first campaign at Camp Nou and a domestic double last time out, but Barca face an early Champions League exit this term and have largely underperformed in La Liga.

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique speaks to the media on December 5, 2016
Read Next:
Luis Enrique to quit as Barca boss
>



You May Like
Recomended from Sports Mole
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Chelsea27213357203766
2Tottenham HotspurSpurs27168353203356
3Manchester CityMan City26174553292455
4Liverpool27157558342452
5Arsenal26155655312450
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd261310339221749
7Everton27128744301444
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2711793634240
9Stoke CityStoke2798103240-835
10Southampton2696113234-233
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham2796123646-1033
12Burnley2794143040-1031
13Watford2787123347-1431
14Bournemouth2776143752-1527
15Leicester CityLeicester2776143045-1527
16Swansea CitySwansea2783163559-2427
17Crystal Palace2774163546-1125
18Middlesbrough27410131930-1122
19Hull City2756162453-2921
20Sunderland2754182450-2619