"One of the greatest strikers in history"
FFF President Philippe Diallo has paid tribute to the incredible career of Bernard Lacombe, who passed away on Tuesday June 17th at the age of 72
"It was with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of Bernard Lacombe. Bernard Lacombe left an indelible mark on French football, as a player, coach, and manager.
He was one of the greatest strikers in the history of French football. The second highest all-time goalscorer in Ligue 1, he played a valuable part in the glory days of Lyon, Saint Étienne, and Bordeaux. He also shone with the French national team. His goals helped to establish France on the international stage. Bernard Lacombe was also a key player in the 1984 European Championship. He provided some of France's greatest moments, notably his goal in the opening seconds of the game against Italy at the 1978 World Cup. He was undoubtedly a source of inspiration for many strikers.
Following his remarkable playing career, Bernard Lacombe put his footballing skills to work for Olympique Lyonnais, his beloved hometown club. Along with Jean-Michel Aulas, whom I am thinking of very much in these difficult times, he formed a duo that transformed OL into a successful club. Deeply attached to his city, his club, and his friends, Bernard Lacombe will be deeply missed. The Federation will pay tribute to him. On behalf of all French football, I extend my most sincere condolences to his family and friends.”
National coach Didier Deschamps also paid tribute to Bernard Lacombe, the former French striker: "With the passing of Bernard Lacombe, French football has lost one of its most illustrious servants. With the French national team, he was one of those who paved the way for success by winning Euro 1984. He, like his teammates, inspired the 1998 generation. Bernard was not only a tremendous goalscorer, he was also a great leader. In this capacity, he played a vital role in the rise and success of his beloved club, Olympique Lyonnais, at both national and European levels. I extend my sympathy and support to his family, his loved ones, and also to all those who knew and appreciated him."
Bernard Lacombe with Philippe Diallo and Jean-Michel Aulas, in May 2023 at Groupama Stadium (photo Baptiste FERNANDEZ / ICON SPORT).
A legend of French football
French football has lost one of its greatest heroes. A European champion in 1984 with the French national team, Bernard Lacombe, born in Lyon (Rhône) on August 15th 1952, spent his entire playing career in France. He played for CS Fontaines-sur-Saône (Rhône) until the age of 15, before moving to Olympique Lyonnais in 1969, where the striker won his first Coupe de France in1973.
After a season with AS Saint-Étienne in 1978, he signed with Bordeaux in the summer of 1979. By 1987, he had not only racked up goals - 255 in total in the French league, the second highest goalscorer in league history behind Argentinian Delio Onnis – but also titles: three French championships (1984, 1985, and 1987) and two French Cups (1986 and 1987) under Aimé Jacquet.
With France, earning 38 caps between September 1973 and June 1984, as well as scoring 12 goals, he was for a long time the scorer of the fastest goal in French history, scoring after just 38 seconds against Italy at the 1978 World Cup (a record broken in 1991 by Franck Sauzée) in Argentina. A semi-finalist at the 1982 World Cup in Spain, he capped off his international career two years later by winning the Euros in France on June 27th 1984, as part of Michel Hidalgo’s side in a 2-0 victory against Spain.
His rich post playing career saw him take up roles such as sporting director, coach and scout, in addition to becoming one of the leading figures at Olympique Lyonnais alongside president Jean-Michel Aulas, contributing greatly to the club's most historic successes.
Bernard Lacombe (crouching, second from the left) was part of the French team for the Euro 1984 final (photos from the FFF Archives).