Mourning in Ligue 1
French professional coach dies of cancer at the age of 58
June 17, 2026 – 8:31 p.mReading time: 1 min.
Eric Roy battled pancreatic cancer for three and a half years – and remained on the sidelines.
The coach of French first division club Stade Brest, Eric Roy, died on Wednesday at the age of 58. He succumbed to the effects of pancreatic cancer, which he had battled for three and a half years – during which time he continued to work as a trainer.
The family announced his death on Instagram. She wrote: “Throughout this time he lived on with a strength that continues to awe us.” And further: “Dad was extremely protective, tender, sincere and honest.”
Roy led Stade Brest into the Champions League playoffs
Roy’s greatest success as a coach dates from the 2023/24 season. He led Brest to third place in Ligue 1 and thus into the Champions League. There the club survived the league phase and failed in the playoffs to Paris Saint-Germain. Brest finished last season in twelfth place.
As a player, he played for Olympique Marseille between 1996 and 1999 and reached the UEFA Cup final with the club. Roy also worked as an official in his hometown of Nice. From 2009 he initially worked as sports director, then as head coach until 2011.