Lille chairman Michel Seydoux has insisted that the French side will always be grateful for the work Rudi Garcia has done for the club.
Garcia was confirmed on Wednesday as the new coach of Serie A side Roma, and Seydoux said that because of what Garcia achieved the club will continue to grow without him.
"I have the utmost respect for his work as a coach, his performances and his human qualities," Ligue1.com quotes Seydoux as saying. "The five years we spent working together were very rich both in sporting and personal terms.
"While LOSC will continue to grow after Rudi leaves, we will never forget the major role he played in the club's return to prominence. He will always have a place of honour in the club's history."
Garcia's deal with Roma is for two years.
