Eric Roy, the manager who transformed Stade Brestois 29 from Ligue 1 underdogs into Champions League participants, has died at the age of 58. Roy passed away on June 17, 2026, after battling pancreatic cancer for approximately three and a half years.
A tenure defined by defying the odds
Roy took charge of Brest on January 3, 2023. During the 2023-24 season, Roy guided Brest to a third-place finish in Ligue 1, securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League in the 2024-25 season — something the club had never achieved before.
He was named French Manager of the Year for the 2023-24 season. Over his full tenure at the club, Roy’s managerial record stood at 60 wins, 33 draws, and 49 losses across 142 matches.
From player to manager
