Former Olympic Lyonnais supremo Jean-Michel Aulas led the tributes on Wednesday to the former Lyon, Bordeaux and France striker Bernard Lacombe, who died on Tuesday night at the age of 72.
Lacombe, who started his playing career as a 17-year-old at Lyon in 1969, returned to the club at the end of the 1980s as an executive.
He spent just over three decades in the corridors of power as sporting director, head coach and as Aulas's counsellor and enforcer.
"You gave us so much: to OL, to the French national team, and to all those lucky enough to know you," said Aulas on social media.
"I know you rest in peace. Because beyond being an exceptional footballer, you were a profoundly kind and funny man – a dear friend.
"I learned everything about football by your side. And so much more."
Lacombe played for France 38 times between 1973 and 1984. He made his international debut in a friendly against Greece at the Parc des Princes in Paris. The first of his 12 goals came during his second game against Czechoslovakia.
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He was selected for the World Cups in 1978 and 1982 and was in the France squad of coach Michel Hidalgo for the 1984 European championships that featured the fabled "carré magique" midfield of Lacombe's Bordeaux teammates Jean Tigana and Alain Giresse on the left and right respectively, Luis Fernandez at the base and skipper Michel Platini at the top.
He was selected for the World Cups in 1978 and 1982 and was in the 1984 European championships squad of coach Michel Hidalgo that featured the fabled "carré magique" midfield of Lacombe's Bordeaux teammates Jean Tigana and Alain Giresse on the left and right respectively, Luis Fernandez at the base and skipper Michel Platini at the top.
"Bernard was, above all, a companion," said Platini who scored nine goals in France's majestic sweep to the trophy.
"For 10 years, he was the centre forward of the French national team, our centre forward. We are a small group mourning his passing today.
"I wasn't as close to Bernard as Alain [Giresse] was. In fact, it was Alain who called me to tell me the news.
"He was someone we loved and we are all suffering today, Alain perhaps even more so, because he was practically his brother.
"I remember the battles fought on the pitch that have marked the history of my life. Bernard is part of that history."
Lyon fan and player
Lacombe, an OL supporter, went into the club's first team dressing room containing his boyhood idol Fleury Di Nallo. They were part of the side that beat Nantes 2-1 in 1973 to deliver a third victory in the Coupe de France.
"I'm heartbroken," said Di Nallo on Wednesday. The 82-year-old added: "He was a brother and a friend."
After nine seasons, Lacombe left Lyon for local rivals Saint-Etienne where he scored 18 goals in 37 appearances. A move to Bordeaux followed in 1979 where he won eight trophies including three domestic championships and two Coupe de France medals.
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"He left his mark on the club with his talent and generosity," said a Girondins de Bordeaux statement on social media.
"The entire Navy and White family mourns today an extraordinarily elegant forward, who belongs in the pantheon of the club's greatest players. Thank you, Bernard."
The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), which organises the top two divisions in France, hailed a striker who scored 255 goals in 497 top flight games.
A great servant
"French football loses today one of its greatest servants – an exceptional player, the second-highest scorer in Ligue 1 history, and a remarkable leader," the LFP said.
"The LFP shares the grief of his family, friends, Olympique Lyonnais, AS Saint-Étienne, Girondins de Bordeaux, and the entire football family."
Jacques Santini, who coached Lyon just after Lacombe took up his role as Aulas's advisor, said: "We had been friends since 1968.
"We were in the France junior team. Then, we were reunited during his year at Saint-Étienne and later at OL, where he brought me in as technical director when he was the coach.
"Friendship brought us together again. We worked side by side from 1995 to 2002 and, with the support of Jean-Michel Aulas, we built the OL that broke many records in the early 2000s and came close to winning the European Cup.
"I have just lost a friend beyond all sporting matters. We went through so much together – his trials, mine."
Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation (FFF), said in a statement. "Bernard Lacombe left an indelible mark on French football, as a player, coach, and executive.
"He was one of the greatest strikers in our football history. He also shone with the French national team. His goals helped raise the profile of Les Bleus on the international stage.
"Deeply attached to his city, his club, and his friends, Bernard Lacombe will be sorely missed. The Federation will pay tribute to him. On behalf of all of French football, I offer my most sincere condolences to his loved ones and friends."
The Lyon supporters group, Les Bad Gones, said in a statement: "With Bernard Lacombe’s passing, a part of our club is gone."
