Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie says the decision to part ways with Andy Reid over a decade ago was “extremely difficult.”

Philly Eagles Owner Jeffrey Lurie knew Andy Reid would one day be a Hall of Fame coach, so the decision to fire him in 2012 was an “extremely difficult” one.

Lurie, who took over the franchise in 1994, recalled Reid’s 14-year tenure at Philadelphia as he led the team to five NFC championships and one super bowl Appearance before finally being sacked after a 4-12 season.

Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs walks up and down the sidelines during a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Glendale, Ariz. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

“It was extremely difficult because I was personally very close to Andy,” Lurie said, via The Washington Post.

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“Obviously we were very, very successful together. He represented everything I believe in. … I just think the best thing for Andy at that time – and I think his family probably thought what was best for Andy at the time – was to have a different environment for his family at that moment.

Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie greets head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs before a game September 19, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Hunter Martin/Philadelphia Eagles/Getty Images)

“I always thought he would be very successful anywhere the chiefs for the immediate realization of your chance. And in my opinion, they got a Hall of Fame coach on the first ballot.”

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Reid was the one Green Bay packers‘ Quarterbacks coach when Lurie considered him for the head coaching position in 1999.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid celebrates with the Lamar Hunt Trophy after winning the AFC Championship game against the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Mo. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)

“All the research we had done was [he was] instrumental in their highly successful offensive, an amazing leader,” Lurie said of The Post. “And it had all the key ingredients that we were looking for. So it was a no-brainer until we caught up with him to make sure. And we caught up with him and it was one of the best interviews ever. [He was] well prepared. And the rest is history.”

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Lurie obviously hopes the Eagles will prevail against Reid and the Chiefs on Sunday, but the respect he has for Reid will remain strong.

“Obviously we want to beat them on Sunday,” said Lurie. “But there’s a lot of camaraderie between the two organizations.”