Brest appoints Julien Lachuer as head coach on two-year deal

Stade Brestois 29 have confirmed Julien Lachuer as their new head coach, handing the 49-year-old a two-year contract following one of the most difficult weeks in the club’s recent history.

The announcement came on June 24, 2026, just one week after the passing of Éric Roy, who died on June 17 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Lachuer, who had spent three-and-a-half years working as Roy’s assistant, steps into the role with pre-season training scheduled to begin in early July.

From goalkeeping coach to the dugout

Lachuer’s path to the top job is not a straight line. He first joined Brest’s coaching structure as a goalkeeping coach, before transitioning into a broader assistant role under Roy when Roy took charge in January 2023.

Holding a UEFA Pro Licence, Lachuer has the formal qualifications to match the operational familiarity he brings. Brest’s board opted for an internal appointment rather than going to the market for an external candidate.

The shadow of Éric Roy

Roy arrived at Brest in January 2023 and over the following seasons turned a club that was managing expectations in Ligue 1 into one with a legitimate identity and a coherent way of playing.

Brest’s decision to move quickly, confirming Lachuer within a week of Roy’s death, reflects a dual logic. It honors Roy’s legacy by extending it, and it gives the squad clarity before pre-season opens.

What this means for Brest going forward

A two-year contract is a meaningful commitment from the club’s perspective. Brest are backing Lachuer with enough runway to maintain the core of what Roy established.

The timing of the pre-season start, early July, means there is very little margin for a settling-in period. Lachuer will need to hit the ground running, setting the tone in training before competitive fixtures arrive.

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