Nice bids farewell to Éric Roy as French football gathers at Sainte-Réparate | OneFootball

French football gathered in Nice on Tuesday to bid farewell to Éric Roy, the Brest head coach who died on 17 June of pancreatic cancer, aged 58, at home in his native city.

The service at the seventeenth-century Sainte-Réparate Cathedral drew his family, Brest players and staff, and leading figures. According to L'Équipe, the Champions League anthem rang out on the organ, briefly lightening the mood. His daughter gave a dignified tribute, recalling intimate final moments.

In the absence of Jean-Pierre Rivère, Nice president Maurice Cohen said he had known Roy since age six and praised his smile, kindness and loyalty. He sketched a path from Cavigal to OGC Nice in 1985, two spells totalling 188 games, then coaching and executive roles.

Cohen called Roy’s Brest return in January 2023 a form of justice, noting how he developed players and people and led the club into the Champions League in 2024. Many Brest squad members cut short holidays to attend. Close friend Olivier Taboué said Roy signed on 2 January, learned of his illness on 3 January, and told the club on 4 January.

The city also paid tribute, with mayor Éric Ciotti leading a minute’s silence at the council and reflecting on their shared love of Nice. Friends Olivier Echouafni and Jérôme Alonzo spoke warmly. The ceremony closed with Barbra Streisand’s The Way We Were.

Source: L'Équipe