Such a rich career inevitably calls for a shower of tributes. After Jean-Louis Gasset at the end of December, a new big name in French football has left. Rolland Courbis died this Monday at the age of 72. A former player, a former coach and a consultant who left his mark on the people, supporters and teams he worked with.
The clubs he passed through did not fail to send their condolences to the family of the deceased. “Charismatic and emblematic figure of French football, this former defender and tactician left his mark on France with his authenticity,” praised RC Lens, which he led at the beginning of the century, on X. One of his last clubs, SM Caen, for its part, highlighted “his unique personality”.
AS Monaco paid tribute. “It is with deep sadness that AS Monaco learned of the death of its former player Rolland Courbis, double French champion, winner of the Cup (155 matches under the Red & White colors) and great voice of French football,” published the Rocher club.
“The MHSC learned with deep sadness of the disappearance of Rolland Courbis,” regretted the Montpellier team. Coach of the MHSC twice (2007-2009 and 2013-2015), Rolland notably brought the MHSC back to the elite in May 2009.
“The ball is no longer spinning”
OGC Nice “salutes the memory of Rolland Courbis, a great figure in French football and a unanimously appreciated man,” expressed the Aiglons, who never benefited from Courbis’ knowledge on their sidelines. Just like FC Nantes which honors “a major personality of French football”.
The opposite of Ajaccio, which the technician knew as a player and as a coach. “Rolland loved the ACA, and the ACA loved Rolland. We will never forget his sense of humor, his bursts of laughter, his frankness, his fiery post-match declarations, his love of fishing and the closeness he could have with all the components of our club,” wrote the Corsicans, with whom he was crowned French D2 champion in 2002.
“Touched by his death, the SRFC would like to offer its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Rolland,” reacted Stade Rennais, the last Ligue 1 club of which the Marseillais was the main manager.
In the media, those who became his colleagues also paid tribute to the former consultant, one of the most recognizable voices in the French landscape. “Coach Courbis has left us! How sad. So many memories of the coach but especially of the consultant,” said commentator Jano Resseguié. “The ball is no longer spinning this morning. Sadness. Thoughts for his family,” reacted Michel Denisot.
