Bernard Lacombe: the date and place of the funeral of the OL legend

Bernard Lacombe, an iconic figure in 1970s and 1980s football, died this Tuesday at around 7:30 p.m. at the age of 72. Journalist Jacques Vendroux, president of the Variétés Club de France, announced the former international striker's passing that evening. "At the request of the family, it is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Bernard Lacombe, who passed away this evening at the age of 72," he said.

Born in 1952 in Villefranche-sur-Saône, Bernard Lacombe began his professional career at Olympique Lyonnais, a club that will forever remain in his heart. After a brief stint with his great rivals, Saint-Étienne, it was in the Girondins de Bordeaux jersey, between 1979 and 1987, that this formidable striker experienced his finest moments of glory. There, he won three French championship titles (1984, 1985, 1987) as well as two French Cups (1986, 1987).

On the international stage, Bernard Lacombe wore the French national team jersey 38 times, playing with them at Euro 1984, where Michel Platini's Les Bleus emerged victorious. A continental title that will remain one of the highlights of his rich career.

A distinguished striker with excellent heading skills and a clear shot, Bernard Lacombe left his mark on French pitches for nearly two decades. Humble and hardworking, he perfectly embodied those unsung players, less in the spotlight than some of his illustrious teammates, but oh so essential to collective success.

Once his playing career was over, Bernard Lacombe returned to his beloved club, Olympique Lyonnais, where he successively held the positions of coach and sporting director. Alongside Jean-Michel Aulas, with whom he maintained a very close relationship, he played an active role in Lyon's extraordinary epic of the 2000s, which saw OL win seven consecutive league titles between 2002 and 2008. A record that remains unmatched to this day in the history of French football.

A wise advisor, expert in the industry, and sometimes outspoken in his speeches, Bernard Lacombe, through his experience and network, has attracted numerous talented players to Lyon, who have flourished and flown the club's flag. From Juninho to Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa, many players owe him a debt of gratitude.

In 2019, at the age of 67, Bernard Lacombe will retire from his duties at Olympique Lyonnais. With his passing at the age of 72, French football has lost one of its legends in shock.

Bernard Lacombe's health declined sharply in the first six months of 2025. The RMC Sport correspondent in Lyon reported that he had a "horrible last six months." The problems began, according to him, with "huge problems with his car," including "forgetfulness" and running red lights, which led to a license suspension and then a series of medical examinations. "It was Alzheimer's that was discovered and that caused him to decline for weeks," the journalist added. And in the program Génération After, he concluded: "In these first months of 2025, everything got worse [...]. In the last few days, he had lost 35 kg and we no longer recognized him."

"I saw him two weeks ago, we knew he'd been sick for several months... [...] I was told to be careful, that he's in a very complicated state, and it wasn't easy. I saw his eyes light up a little... But that wasn't going to change things and make his life less painful," said Alain Giresse, a former teammate of Bernard Lacombe, in Le Figaro. In the same newspaper, Luis Fernandez, another teammate, also laments this sudden passing: "We knew he was sick, that's why it's hard. It's very hard because 72 is young. Bernard has been going through a tough time these last few months. The whole 84 team (European champions - Editor's note) knew it. It's hard and difficult to find the words."

The date and location of his funeral are now known, as OL president John Textor announced that a space at Groupama Stadium will be dedicated to his memory. Bernard Lacombe's religious funeral will take place on June 25 at 2:30 p.m. at the Saint-Louis church in Fontaines-sur-Saône, in the Lyon metropolitan area. The family of the Villefranche-sur-Saône native has decided to hold a private funeral.