Eric Roy, the respected manager of Stade Brestois 29 and former Sunderland midfielder, has passed away at the age of 58, as announced by the club on Wednesday night.

His death follows a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, which he kept private for over three years, and comes just a month after Brest concluded the Ligue 1 season in 11th position.

Roy's legacy includes a distinguished playing career with several clubs in France, such as Nice, Toulon, Lyon, and Marseille, before he ventured to England for a season with Sunderland in 1999-2000. After retiring from playing, he transitioned into a successful management role, including a brief stint as sporting director at Watford before taking over as head coach at Brest in early 2023.

Under his leadership, Brest remarkably finished third in the 2023-24 campaign, securing a spot in the Champions League play-off round. His tenure also included finishes of ninth and 11th in subsequent seasons. Roy recorded 60 wins in 143 matches while managing the team.

In a heartfelt statement on their official X account, Stade Brestois 29 expressed their profound grief:

It is difficult to find the words to express all the sadness we feel following the passing of our coach Eric Roy. The president, the management, and the entire club share the pain of his family and loved ones.

The statement continued, highlighting Roy's impact:

He helped write the most beautiful pages in the club’s history... Eric, we will never forget everything you brought to the club, nor the man that you were. You will remain forever in our hearts and in the history of Stade Brestois 29.