PARIS (AP) — Former Marseille coach Laurent Courbis, a charismatic figure in French soccer who later became a prominent pundit, has died, his employer announced Monday. He was 72 years old.
RMC Radio did not reveal the cause of death in a statement released in agreement with Krubis’ family.
Born in Marseille, Klubis came through the club’s academy. A stout defender, he was part of the team that won the French league and cup double in 1972 and returned to the club as coach in the late 1990s.
As a player, he won the French league twice and the French Cup with Monaco.
“A Marseille man through and through, he was the epitome of popular and dynamic football. His unmistakable accent conveyed his frank, direct, often passionate and always sincere words,” Marseille said in a tribute.
Kourbis has spent his coaching career in France and abroad, particularly at Bordeaux, Reims, Montpellier and USM Algiers.
One of the many defining moments of his career was his incredible comeback while in charge of Marseille. In 1998, his team lost 4-0 at home to Montpellier, but fought back to win an astonishing 5-4.
Klubis, who had a hobby of gambling in casinos and lived with an Italian countess for a time, had a turbulent life. In 1996, the president of the French soccer team was shot dead by gunmen outside the stadium after a match, leaving him seriously injured. Klubis, who has also been involved in several lawsuits and has been sentenced to prison, was shot during the attack.
France coach Didier Deschamps said that with his pass, French football lost “a great lover not only of football and its inner workings, but of the game itself.”
“He was a really passionate person,” Deschamps added. “And in recent years, he has chosen to channel that passion behind the microphone with his own unique phrases.”
Since 2005, he was a consultant for RMC and commented on football news.
“His passion came through in his trademark Marseille accent and very direct relationship with his listeners,” RMC said. “He was free-spoken and kept his supporters on their word, sharing questions and feelings. He particularly succeeded in maintaining friendliness and warmth while demanding substance.”
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