World Cup winner pays tearful tribute on dwell radio as pal’s loss of life introduced

A World Cup winner reacted to the death of his friend while being interviewed live on the radio, and tearfully paid tribute in response to the family’s announcement

A live radio interview with a World Cup winner ended with him in tears after learning about the death of his friend while on-air.

Christophe Dugarry, who won the tournament with France in 1998, reflected on the death of Brest head coach Eric Roy after the 58-year-old’s three-and-a-half-year battle with pancreatic cancer. The Frenchman had been at the helm of the Ligue 1 team, finishing third in the 2023/23 season and qualifying for the Champions League.

Roy, a former midfielder, had a career that included 27 appearances for Sunderland in England. He also had stints in France with Nice, Lyon and Marseille, among others, before hanging up his boots in 2004.

He later took on managerial duties at Nice before his successful tenure at Brest. His other roles included scouting for Lens and a brief spell as Watford’s sporting director in 2019.

Speaking live on French radio show RMC following the announcement of Roy’s death, Dugarry could not hold back the tears. He and Roy were former teammates at Marseille.

Dugarry said: “It’s sad because he was my friend… It makes me very sad. I’m going to miss him.” Roy’s family announced his death in a heartfelt statement on social media, revealing the coach’s secret battle with cancer over recent years.

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They emotionally paid tribute to Roy. The statement reads: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of our father and husband.

“For the past three and a half years, Dad battled pancreatic cancer. Throughout this time, he continued to live with a strength that still amazes us, sustained by the love of his family, by football, by his work, and by the passion that never left him.

“What he accomplished in recent years will remain exceptional for us. To overcome this ordeal while supporting such a powerful club, team, and history speaks volumes about the man he was.

“Dad was deeply kind, tender, upright, and honest. He knew how to encourage, to mentor, to push others to surpass themselves, to become the best version of themselves.

“He possessed this high standard, this fairness, and this humanity (…). To the Brest supporters, we want to say thank you. Your welcome, your support, your fervour, and your love deeply touched him. This strength accompanied him far longer than you can imagine.”

Brest said on X: “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 Stade Brestois 29 share the pain of his family, his wife, his two children, as well as all his loved ones.”