PARIS (AP) — Former Marseille coach Rolland Courbis, a charismatic figure of French soccer who became a prominent pundit, has died. He was 72.
RMC radio, Courbis' employer, did not disclose on Monday the cause of death in a statement released in agreement with Courbis' family.
Born in Marseille, Courbis came through the club's academy. A rugged defender, he was part of the team that won the French league and cup double in 1972 and returned to the club in the late 1990s as coach.
As a player, he also won two French league titles and a French Cup with Monaco.
“A Marseillais at heart, he embodied popular, dynamic football. His unmistakable accent carried his frank, direct, often passionate and always sincere words,” Marseille said in a tribute.
Courbis enjoyed a much-traveled coaching career with spells in France and abroad, notably at Bordeaux, Lens, Montpellier and the USM Alger.
Among the many defining moments of his career was a stunning comeback he oversaw when coaching Marseille. His team found itself 4-0 down at home to Montpellier in 1998 but fought back to seal a remarkable 5-4 victory.
Courbis had a taste for casino gambling and lived with an Italian countess for a while and led a tumultuous life. He was shot and seriously wounded in 1996 when gunmen fatally shot the president of a French club outside a stadium. Courbis was also involved in legal cases and sentenced to prison.
France coach Didier Deschamps said that with Courbis' death French soccer lost “a fine connoisseur of football and its inner workings, but also of the game itself.”
“He was a true passionate figure. And in recent years, he chose to pass on that passion behind a microphone, with a turn of phrase all his own.”
Since 2005 he had been a consultant on RMC, where he commented on football news.
“His passion came through in his trademark Marseille accent and in a very direct rapport with listeners,” RMC said. “A freedom of tone that kept the language of the supporters, while sharing their questions and emotions. He was particularly successful in remaining approachable and warm, while still being demanding on substance.”
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FILE - Coach of Montpellier Rolland Courbis reacts during the French League One soccer match Nice against Montpellier, Friday, Dec. 18, 2015, in Nice stadium, southeastern France. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau, file)
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Aaron Judge looks ready for his first World Baseball Classic. Alex Bregman does, too.
As for the recently-retired Clayton Kershaw? Understandably a little rust.
Judge crushed a 453-foot solo homer in the first inning of the team's exhibition game against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, the U.S. captain drawing a roar from the crowd and then “U-S-A!” chants in a packed ballpark at Salt River Fields.
Judge's no-doubter to left field off lefty Kyle Freeland left his bat at 115.9 mph. The three-time MVP is trying to lead the Americans to their first WBC title since 2017.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Judge said. “Getting a chance to be surrounded by the greatness we have in this room — MVPs, Cy Young winners, World Series champs, All-Stars — the list goes on and on. It's going to be a cool experience. You get the chance to play for your country and also learn a thing or two.”
Bregman homered for his third straight game, the second for the U.S., hitting a two-run shot to left field in fifth inning. Usually a third baseman, he played second as manager Mark DeRosa experimented with potential defensive lineups.
It was part of a five-homer day for the U.S. in a 14-4 win. Paul Goldschmidt, Will Smith and Byron Buxton also went deep. Brice Turang had two doubles and two RBIs.
The 37-year-old Kershaw was back on the mound for the first time since announcing his retirement from the Los Angeles Dodgers after a brilliant 18-year big league career. He surrendered a solo homer to Mickey Moniak on his third pitch.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner gave up two runs, a hit and a walk while getting two outs, but still received a standing ovation.
“It was special,” Kershaw said. “I think just being on this team is a bucket-list thing from the beginning. Obviously, I thought I was never going to throw a baseball again, so to get to do it again with Team USA across your chest and come back to that dugout is really special.”
DeRosa has said Kershaw is on the WBC roster as essentially an emergency option, valued more for his pitching wisdom and affable personality than his actual performance. Kershaw had an 11-2 record and 3.36 ERA for the Dodgers last season and helped the team win its second straight World Series while being limited to two postseason appearances.
The U.S. will travel to Houston for Friday's opener against Brazil. San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb will be the starting pitcher. Two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal is expected to start Saturday against Britain, followed by NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes vs. Mexico on Monday.
New York Mets right-hander Nolan McLean is tentatively scheduled to start on Tuesday in the final group stage game against Italy, even though he’s dealing with vertigo-like symptoms and hopes to join the U.S. in Houston. DeRosa said after Tuesday’s 15-1 exhibition win over the Giants that McLean’s health was improving.
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United States' Alex Bregman takes a swing during batting practice prior to an exhibition baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
United States starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough throws against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of an exhibition baseball game Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
United States first baseman Bryce Harper (24) makes a catch at first base to get Colorado Rockies' Adael Amador, left, out during the first inning of an exhibition baseball game Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
United States' Aaron Judge rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of an exhibition baseball game Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Uniteds States' Bryce Harper, left, Aaron Judge, center, and Alex Bregman sit in the team dugout prior to an exhibition baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
