Éric Roy (1967 – 2026)

Their Story

Éric Serge Armand Roy was a respected French football figure whose career spanned both playing and management. Born in Nice in 1967, he grew up in a football family—his father Serge was also a professional footballer. As a midfielder, Roy built a diverse playing career across multiple countries, beginning with his hometown club OGC Nice before moving through French clubs including Toulon, Lyon, and Marseille. At Marseille, he shared dressing rooms with future stars like Robert Pires and Laurent Blanc, helping the club reach the UEFA Cup Final in 1999. His international playing experience included a season with English club Sunderland (1999-2000), where he made a lasting impression including a key role in their memorable 4-1 victory over Chelsea in December 1999. He later played for Troyes in France and Rayo Vallecano in Spain before concluding his career back at Nice in 2004. Roy's influence on football continued well beyond his playing days through roles in sporting administration and management. After holding various executive positions at Nice and RC Lens, he transitioned into full-time coaching. His most significant achievement came at Stade Brestois, where he took charge in January 2023. In his first full season, Roy guided the modest Breton club to an historic third-place finish in Ligue 1 and secured their first-ever qualification for the UEFA Champions League—a remarkable feat that earned him the Ligue 1 Manager of the Year award. Throughout his coaching career, he was known for his intelligence, dignity, and genuine passion for football. Roy displayed extraordinary courage by continuing to lead Brest through exceptional seasons while privately battling pancreatic cancer for three and a half years. His resilience and commitment to the club and the game inspired those around him until his death in June 2026.

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89ric_Roy_(footballer)