French Football Coach Éric Roy Dies at 58 After Cancer Battle
Éric Roy, 58, head coach of French Ligue 1 club Stade Brestois and former player for Marseille, Nice, and Lyon, died on June 17, 2026, after a three-and-a-half-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Roy led Brest to a historic third-place finish in 2024, securing their first Champions League qualification, and was named Ligue 1 Coach of the Year. His death prompted widespread mourning across French football, with emotional tributes from players, officials, and fans.
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Ligue 1 Coach Eric Roy Dies at 58 After Battle with Pancreatic Cancer
Eric Roy, the 58-year-old head coach of French Ligue 1 club Stade Brest, has died after a three-and-a-half-year battle with pancreatic cancer. His family announced his death on Instagram, praising his strength throughout the illness. Despite his condition, Roy continued to coach, leading Brest to a comfortable 12th-place finish in Ligue 1 last season. His greatest career achievement was qualifying Brest for the UEFA Champions League, which brought the club cult status on social media. Roy also had a 14-year playing career, including a UEFA Cup final appearance with Olympique Marseille in 1999, and stints at Sunderland, Rayo Vallecano, and OGC Nice. He later worked as a sporting director at RC Lens and Watford before becoming Brest's coach. The club issued a heartfelt tribute, stating Roy contributed significantly to writing the most beautiful chapters in its history.
BILD - SportFrench football mourns Eric Roy: Brest coach dies at 58 after battle with pancreatic cancer
Eric Roy, the 58-year-old coach of French Ligue 1 club Stade Brestois, has died from pancreatic cancer after a three-and-a-half-year battle, his family announced on June 17, 2026. A former midfielder who played for Nice, Lyon, Marseille, and clubs in England and Spain, Roy took over Brest in January 2023 when the team was struggling. He led them to a stunning third-place finish in Ligue 1 in the 2023-2024 season, securing historic Champions League qualification and earning the UNFP Coach of the Year award. Brest went on to compete against top European clubs including Barcelona and Real Madrid. Tributes poured in from the UNFP and LFP president Vincent Labrune, who called Roy one of French football's most respected and authentic figures. Before coaching, Roy worked as a sporting director at Nice, Lens, and Watford, and as a football analyst for RMC Sport.
Home Football - actualitésÉric Roy, Former Ligue 1 Player and Coach Who Led Brest to Champions League, Dies at 58
Éric Roy, a former defensive midfielder who played for OGC Nice, Lyon, and Marseille from 1988 to 2004, passed away at age 58. Despite a trophy-less playing career, he achieved his greatest success as a coach in 2024 when he led Stade Brestois to a Champions League qualification, earning him the Ligue 1 Coach of the Year award. Roy's career was marked by resilience, including a notable disallowed goal in the 1996 Coupe de la Ligue final and a knee injury that cost him a UEFA Cup final appearance. After retiring, he held various roles including marketing director, sporting director, and consultant before returning to coaching with Nice in 2010 and later Brest in 2023. He is mourned by OGC Nice and Brest fans.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuDeath of Éric Roy: Reactions after Brest Coach and Former OM Player Dies at 58
Éric Roy, the 58-year-old coach of Stade Brestois and former Olympique de Marseille player, has died from pancreatic cancer, his family announced on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The news has brought mourning to French football. Live on RMC Sport, former French international Christophe Dugarry broke down in tears, calling Roy his friend and expressing deep grief. Roy had been fighting pancreatic cancer for three and a half years. RMC Sport extended its deepest condolences to his loved ones. The article also lists top stories from the same outlet, including coverage of the France-Senegal World Cup match.
Home Football - actualitésBrest Coach Éric Roy Dies at Age 58
Éric Roy, the head coach of French Ligue 1 club Stade Brestois, has died at the age of 58, according to multiple sources reported by L'Équipe. A former midfielder who played for Marseille and reached the UEFA Cup final, Roy later coached OGC Nice and served as sporting director at Lens. He returned to coaching in January 2023 when Brest appointed him, leading the club to a historic third-place finish in Ligue 1 in 2024, which qualified them for the Champions League for the first time. Under his leadership, Brest played prestigious matches against Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Roy was voted best Ligue 1 coach by his peers in 2024 and was widely respected for his values and management. The club expressed shock and plans to pay tribute to him, with fans having celebrated him with songs and tifos, calling him the 'King.' L'Équipe extended condolences to his family.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuÉric Roy, Brest Coach and Former OM and Nice Player, Dies at 58
Éric Roy, the 58-year-old coach of French Ligue 1 club Stade Brestois and a former player for Olympique de Marseille and OGC Nice, has died. His family announced his passing on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, revealing that he had been battling pancreatic cancer for three and a half years. Roy, a well-known figure in French football, had been managing Brest and was previously a professional footballer. The news has prompted an outpouring of mourning in the French football community. The article, published by RMC Sport, also includes links to other top stories about the France national team's World Cup performance.
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