Rolland Courbis, a former French football player, coach, and media pundit, has passed away at the age of 72. His employer, RMC radio, announced the news without disclosing the cause of death. Born in Marseille, Courbis began his football career at the city’s club, coming through the academy and joining the squad as a defender. He was part of the team that won the French league and cup double in 1972.
As a player, Courbis also won two French league titles and a French Cup with Monaco. He later returned to Marseille as a coach in the late 1990s. His coaching career also took him to Bordeaux, Lens, Montpellier, and USM Alger. Notably, he trained French star Zinedine Zidane at Bordeaux, reportedly giving him the nickname “Zizou.” Zidane paid tribute to Courbis on social media, describing him as “a very endearing, authentic guy” who meant a great deal to him both as a coach and on a personal level.
One of the defining moments of Courbis’ career was a remarkable comeback he oversaw while coaching Marseille. In 1998, his team came back from 4-0 down at home to Montpellier to win 5-4. Courbis’ life was not without controversy, having been involved in legal cases and sentenced to prison. He was also shot and seriously wounded in 1996 when gunmen fatally shot the president of a French club outside a stadium.
France coach Didier Deschamps described Courbis as “a fine connoisseur of football and its inner workings, but also of the game itself.” After stepping away from coaching in 2002, Courbis became a familiar voice in sports media, working as a radio commentator known for his outspoken manner. RMC radio praised his “freedom of tone” and ability to connect with listeners, saying he was “particularly successful in remaining approachable and warm, while still being demanding on substance.”
Courbis’ death has been met with tributes from the football community, with Marseille describing him as “a Marseillais at heart” who embodied “popular, dynamic football.” His passing marks the loss of a significant figure in French football, one who made a lasting impact on the sport both as a player and a coach. As the football community mourns his death, it is clear that Rolland Courbis will be remembered for his passion, expertise, and contributions to the sport.
