A titan of French soccer, Bernard Lacombe, passed away on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the age of 72 after a prolonged hospitalization.
This marks the end of an era for Olympique Lyonnais, a club that Lacombe served in nearly every capacity imaginable for decades.
His wife, Mireille, and sons Arnaud and Sébastien, released a heartfelt statement:
“At the request of the family, it is with immense sadness that we announce the departure of Bernard Lacombe, who passed away this evening at 7:30 p.m. We share our considerable grief with you.”
Via X
Bernard Lacombe Dedicated His Life To Olympique Lyonnais
A native of Villefranche-sur-Saône, Lacombe embodied the very spirit of Lyon soccer.
From his early days as a striker to later becoming an assistant coach, technical director, sporting director, and scout, Lacombe wore every hat imaginable at OL.
With a loyalty rarely seen in modern soccer, Lacombe served OL through thick and thin.
His 37-year professional relationship with Aulas became the bedrock of Lyon’s transformation into a major European club.
Before his executive legacy, Lacombe was a prolific striker.
With 255 goals in 497 top-flight appearances, Bernard Lacombe ranks as the second-highest goal scorer in Ligue 1 history, just behind Delio Onnis.
He was known not only for his goal-scoring ability but also for his intelligence and commitment to the club and game.
A quiet yet decisive presence, Lacombe’s influence extended across generations.
Friends And Well-Wishers Pay Emotional Tribute
Bernard Lacombe’s closest ally for nearly four decades, Jean-Michel Aulas, paid his tribute.
Speaking to RMC, Aulas shared the depth of his grief:
“You know that this is terrible news, but also a relief. I was with Bernard yesterday. He suffered a lot… Bernard was one of those exceptional men. Everyone who knew him knows how funny and insightful he could be. For me, he was more than a friend, he was a brother.”
Aulas recalled their first meeting in 1987, when Claude Bez, then-president of Bordeaux, advised him to bring Lacombe to Lyon.
From that moment, they built something special, not just a soccer club, but a family.
A few hours later, Aulas posted a touching message on X:
“There are pains we don’t share. Today, it’s the pain of losing Bernard. Thirty-seven years of unvarnished friendship. A rare loyalty… What he embodied will not die — the humility of the player, the respect for the club. I will miss him in the noisy days, and even more so in the quiet ones.”
As the OL family and soccer community mourn, they also celebrate the extraordinary life of a man who gave everything to the game.
Rest in peace, Bernard Lacombe!
