France: Over a thousand Brest fans honor late coach Éric Roy

Fans and officials paid emotional tribute to Éric Roy, the beloved coach of Stade Brestois, who passed away at 58 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. More than a thousand supporters gathered outside the Francis-Le Blé stadium to honor the man who led the club to unprecedented success.

“

the look very human

Supporters recalled Roy's "very human" approach and integrity. "He was always honest, clear, clean in his words. Never insults, never aggressions," said Gilles-Michel Stéphan, 65. Others described him as a "formidable coach" and "a second father." Lila Simon, 18, tearfully stated, "He was truly of a kindness, of a perfect football. He was truly a great man, a man we will not forget."

The tributes extended beyond the fan gathering. The French national team observed a moment of silence before their training session. Club president Denis Le Saint hailed Roy as a "fine tactician" and a "remarkable man-manager." He credited Roy with uniting the team and guiding them to the Champions League.

“

He has always been honest, clear, clean in his words. Never insults, never aggressions

Roy, a former midfielder who played for Nice, Lyon, and Marseille, took charge of Brest in 2023. In his first season, 2023-2024, he achieved a remarkable third-place finish in Ligue 1, a significant accomplishment for a club with a modest budget. This success secured their qualification for the Champions League.

“

He will remain in our hearts forever, he was a formidable coach

Roy's funeral is scheduled for Tuesday at 2:00 PM at the Nice Cathedral.

“

for the supporters, he was a bit like a second father to us