‘Last year, we ensured our safety with three games to go’ – Eric Roy reflects on Brest’s meteoric rise after clinching European football

“Stade Brestois, Coupe d’Europe” to the tune of Endor’s Pump It Up reverberated around Roazhon Park after Stade Brestois’ dramatic 5-4 victory over Stade Rennais. The 1,200 Brest supporters had reason to be in good voice. 

Last year, when Eric Roy took the reigns mid-season, his job was simply to ensure the Breton club’s safety in Ligue 1. He did so with three games to go, however, it was expected that Brest would find themselves in a similar position this time around. They have defied all expectations. 

This year, with three games to go, Brest have secured qualification to European next year. Currently on the podium in Ligue 1, Les Pirates can even – incredibly – harbour hopes of automatic qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League group stage. 

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“It’s a source of huge satisfaction because last year, we secured our safety with three games remaining. 12 months later, three matches from the end, we have qualified for European competition. The path we have taken is quite incredible,” reacted Roy, who has taken the club a long way in such a short period of time. 

Brest savoured the moment. “I gave everything, I even lost my voice on the pitch,” reacted Mathias Pereira Lage, who celebrated the achievement with the Brest fans. However, focus will now return to the final three matches of the season. Work must still be done to ensure Champions League football for next season. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle