Former Brest manager Eric Roy dies at 58

Eric Roy, the manager who led French club Brest to an unprecedented Champions League qualification, has died at the age of 58. His family announced his death on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, after what they described as a three-and-a-half-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Roy was diagnosed in 2023, the same year he took charge of Brest with the mission of keeping the modest club in Ligue 1. He far exceeded that goal, guiding the team to a remarkable third-place finish in the 2023-24 season, securing a historic first-ever berth in European football's premier club competition. Under his leadership, Brest became known for a daring, attacking style that won admirers across France. Roy was subsequently named Ligue 1 Manager of the Season in 2024 and led the club to a 12th-place finish last season.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Roy's family said he fought his illness with immense strength while continuing his work. "To go through what he did at the same time as he led a club, through such a powerful story, says a lot about the man he was," they wrote. "His adventure with Brest was one of the most beautiful moments of his life. It gave him energy, a reason to continue, including in...