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Éric Roy, Brest Manager Who Led Club Into Champions League, Dies at 58

His family said he privately battled pancreatic cancer for about three-and-a-half years and his death has drawn broad tributes across French football.

Overview

  • Roy’s family confirmed on Wednesday that the 58-year-old died after a roughly three-and-a-half year fight with pancreatic cancer that he kept largely private.
  • Appointed in January 2023, Roy transformed Stade Brestois 29 from relegation candidates into a third-place Ligue 1 side that qualified for the 2024-25 Champions League.
  • He won Ligue 1’s Manager of the Season for the 2023-24 campaign and remained in charge through subsequent mid-table finishes while continuing to manage during his illness.
  • Before joining Brest, Roy had a 16-year playing career with clubs including Nice, Lyon, Marseille and Sunderland and later held sporting-director roles at Nice, Lens and Watford.
  • Brest, Ligue 1 and former colleagues have paid tribute to Roy and no public details about funeral arrangements or the club’s succession plan have been announced yet.