Brest manager Eric Roy dies aged 58 following pancreatic cancer battle
Stade Brestois manager and former Sunderland midfielder Eric Roy has died at the age of 58 following a private three-and-a-half-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
The French Ligue 1 club announced his passing on Wednesday evening, just a month after the conclusion of the domestic season.
The 58-year-old had kept his medical diagnosis private while continuing to guide the port city outfit from the dugout.
A distinguished career in France and England
Before transitioning into management, the combative midfielder enjoyed an extensive playing career spanning several prominent French clubs including Nice, Lyon, and Marseille.
English football fans will also remember his brief stint in the Premier League, having spent the 1999-2000 campaign featuring for Sunderland.
Following his retirement from playing, he held various sporting director roles, which included a brief spell at Watford, before taking the managerial reins at Brest in January 2023.
Historic achievements in Brittany
Taking charge of a team fighting relegation, the newly appointed head coach immediately steered them to safety during his first half-season in charge.
His crowning achievement arrived the following year, masterminding a remarkable third-place finish in the 2023-24 campaign to secure historic qualification for the Champions League play-off round.
Across his 143 matches at the helm, the tactician secured 60 victories and later guided the team to respective ninth and 11th-placed finishes in subsequent seasons.
Alongside his coaching commitments, the experienced football figure was a respected voice in French broadcasting, working regularly as a pundit for beIN Sports and France Televisions.
Club pays emotional tribute
In an emotional statement released on social media, Stade Brestois expressed their profound grief over the loss of their beloved leader.
“It is difficult to find the words to express all the sadness we feel following the passing of our coach Eric Roy,” the statement read.
“The president, the management, and the entire Stade Brestois 29 share the pain of his family, his wife, his two children, as well as all his loved ones.”
The club hierarchy praised his monumental impact, noting that he had helped write the most beautiful pages in their history.
“Eric, we will never forget everything you brought to the club, nor the man that you were. You will remain forever in our hearts and in the history of Stade Brestois 29.”
