Spanish coach Juan Carlos Garrido has published a 'farewell letter' on his website to express his appreciation for Egypt’s Ahly club and describe his experience living in Egypt.

"I want to take this opportunity to send a message of appreciation to the club, fans and footballers," Garrido wrote. “It has been a source of pride to coach the club with the most international titles in the whole world.”

Garrido, who signed a two-year contract with the Cairo giants in July 2014, was fired by Ahly after a poor run domestically and continentally.

"One can only understand the greatness of Al Ahly by living it from within, working on a daily basis at such a unique club and feeling the backing of its more than 60 million fans," he added.

The Spaniard has been succeeded by caretaker coach Fathi Mabrouk, in an attempt to save the team's pride after being third in the table with 49 points, eight behind rivals Zamalek who still have a game in hand.

"It was a shame to lose the African Super Cup and to say goodbye to the CAF Champions League, in both cases by way of penalty shoot-outs,” stated Garrido. “However, I am convinced that this team has a great future, and that it will once again continue to write pages of greatness."

Losing to Moghreb Tetouan of Morocco Saturday, the record holders of eight trophies exited the CAF Champions League in the round of 16 and were downgraded to compete in the CAF Confederation Cup, the tournament they won under Garrido last year as the first ever Egyptian representatives.

"I will always remember the two titles that we have conquered in these months, the CAF Confederation Cup and the Egyptian Super Cup,” the Spanish tactician wrote. “Those two titles were my small token of appreciation to the fans for the affection they have shown me all this time."

The Red Devils have been drawn to play Tunisian club African in the Confederation Cup.

"My family and I have felt very comfortable in Egypt. I never grow tired of saying that this is a great country which everyone should visit. Furthermore, here I have felt like a part of the family from the very first day and that has helped to make everything easier."

"Our paths separate, but Al Ahly and their fans will always be in my heart.”

“I feel very proud to be a part of the history of this club," Garrido concluded.

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