Former Sunderland midfielder Éric Roy dies aged 58 | OneFootball

Former Sunderland midfielder Éric Roy has died aged 58. His family said he passed away after a three-and-a-half year battle with pancreatic cancer.

The elegant central midfielder joined Sunderland in 1999 and was part of the Peter Reid side that finished seventh on their Premier League return.

He starred in the 4-1 win over Chelsea at the Stadium of Light, producing a dazzling run to set up Niall Quinn.

With minutes limited in his second season, he returned to France, later becoming a popular pundit, manager and sporting director. He held sporting director roles at Nice and Watford.

Roy returned to management with Stade Brestois in 2023 and made history by securing the club’s first European qualification. He was named Ligue 1 Manager of the Season in 2024 and continued to enjoy success there in the years that followed.

Source: Sunderland Echo