(foto: uradna spletna stran kluba)
The story of Stade Brestois 29 restores faith in football’s underdogs, as the club, with one of Ligue 1’s smallest budgets, reaches the Champions League.
Brest, a small Breton town of around 140,000 people on France's western edge, isn’t widely known for football. Yet, local club Stade Brestois 29 has journeyed from amateur football to the Champions League in three decades. After a bankruptcy in 1991, similar to Bordeaux’s recent plight, the club only returned to Ligue 2 in 2004, when a young Franck Ribery played in its colors, and rejoined the top flight in 2009/10.
In 2019, Brest returned to Ligue 1, and their fairytale of success began. The 2023/24 season saw them achieve a sensational third-place finish, the club’s highest ever, securing a Champions League spot.
In contrast to many French clubs owned by foreign investment firms with questionable practices, Brest’s main shareholder (51%) and club president, Denis Le Saint, promotes organic growth. Brest operates on an annual budget of around €40 million, making it one of the lowest-funded clubs in France’s top division. Their sponsor reflects this approach—a dairy company from Saint-Malo, rather than the crypto firms and betting companies common across European leagues.
Two men are behind Brest’s on-field success: sporting director Gregory Lorenzi and head coach Eric Roy. Roy, a former midfielder who played for clubs like Nice, Lyon, Marseille, and Sunderland, had an unconventional path in football management. Before joining Brest as coach in 2023, his only other managerial experience was a stint with Nice in 2010/11, without the necessary coaching license. Lorenzi saw something unique in Roy, believing continuity and stability were key to success.
"When building a team, I always strive for a balance between experienced players and younger ones who bring energy and dynamism," says Lorenzi. "Stability is the key to our success. The club has been growing for the past five or six years, and continuity is essential."
Roy’s unusual appointment has proven to be a stroke of genius. When he took over, Brest was near relegation; now, they thrive in the Champions League. Roy’s 4-3-3 formation, emphasizing collective play and high pressing, has transformed the club. "Many doubted my decision," Lorenzi admits. "But instinctively, I felt it was the right choice."
Brest’s standout player is 31-year-old defensive midfielder Pierre Lees-Melou, a crucial piece since joining in 2022. Known for his consistency and defensive skills, Lorenzi says, "He ages like fine wine." Lees-Melou ranks among Ligue 1’s top midfielders in tackles, blocks, forward passes, touches, and fouls drawn.
Brest’s unexpected success has outpaced their stadium capacity. Their home ground, Francis-Le Blé Stadium, holds only around 15,000 fans, but Champions League requirements mean they play home games in Guingamp, 110 kilometers away. To meet future demands, Le Saint has initiated a project for a new €85 million stadium, set for completion in 2027.