1. Playing Career
Bernard Lacombe's professional football playing career spanned nearly two decades, marked by his prolific goal-scoring ability and significant achievements with several top French clubs and the national team.
1.1. Club Career
Lacombe began his professional journey with his hometown club, Lyon, in 1969. During his nine seasons at Lyon, he was a key attacking force. A notable early achievement was winning the Coupe de France in the 1972-73 season, where he also scored a goal in the final. This was followed by a victory in the Trophée des Champions in 1973. Throughout his first tenure with Lyon, he made 222 league appearances, scoring 123 goals, and a total of 230 appearances with 128 goals across all competitions, including European matches. One of his teammates at Lyon, Aimé Jacquet, would later become his manager at both club and national team levels.
After a brief spell with Saint-Étienne in the 1978-79 season, where he made 32 appearances and scored 14 goals, Lacombe moved to Bordeaux in 1979. At Bordeaux, he was reunited with Aimé Jacquet, who was then the club's manager. This period proved to be highly successful for Lacombe and Bordeaux. He won three French Division 1 championships (1983-84, 1984-85, and 1986-87). Additionally, he secured two more Coupe de France titles with Bordeaux in the 1985-86 and 1986-87 seasons, as well as the Trophée des Champions in 1986. For Bordeaux, Lacombe appeared in 243 league matches, scoring 118 goals, and 265 matches with 122 goals across all competitions, including European tournaments.
Lacombe concluded his playing career in 1987. With a remarkable tally of 255 goals scored in Ligue 1, he holds the distinction of being the second-highest all-time scorer in the French championship, trailing only Delio Onnis.
1.2. International Career
Bernard Lacombe earned his first cap for the France national football team in 1973. He went on to represent his nation in several major international tournaments, showcasing his scoring prowess on the global stage.
He participated in the 1978 FIFA World Cup, where he made history by scoring after only 30 seconds against Italy. This goal remains the fastest ever scored by a French player in a World Cup and also marked the first goal of that tournament. Lacombe also played at the 1982 FIFA World Cup. His most significant international achievement came with the French national team when they triumphed at UEFA Euro 1984. Throughout his international career, Lacombe made 38 appearances for France, scoring 12 goals.
2. Career Statistics
Detailed statistical records of Bernard Lacombe's playing career for both club and national team are presented below.
2.1. Club Statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| Lyon | 1969-70 | Division 1 | 5 | 1 | - | 5 | 1 | |||||
| 1970-71 | 3 | 0 | - | 3 | 0 | |||||||
| 1971-72 | 36 | 19 | - | 36 | 19 | |||||||
| 1972-73 | 35 | 23 | - | 35 | 23 | |||||||
| 1973-74 | 31 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 35 | 14 | ||||||
| 1974-75 | 27 | 17 | 4 | 4 | 31 | 21 | ||||||
| 1975-76 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 5 | ||||||
| 1976-77 | 36 | 21 | - | 36 | 21 | |||||||
| 1977-78 | 33 | 24 | - | 33 | 24 | |||||||
| Total | 222 | 123 | 8 | 5 | 230 | 128 | ||||||
| Saint-Étienne | 1978-79 | Division 1 | 32 | 14 | - | 32 | 14 | |||||
| Bordeaux | 1979-80 | Division 1 | 33 | 11 | - | 33 | 11 | |||||
| 1980-81 | 34 | 18 | - | 34 | 18 | |||||||
| 1981-82 | 33 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 36 | 18 | ||||||
| 1982-83 | 33 | 20 | 6 | 0 | 39 | 20 | ||||||
| 1983-84 | 35 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 37 | 18 | ||||||
| 1984-85 | 36 | 22 | 8 | 3 | 44 | 25 | ||||||
| 1985-86 | 23 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 7 | ||||||
| 1986-87 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 5 | ||||||
| Total | 243 | 118 | 22 | 4 | 265 | 122 | ||||||
| Career total | 497 | 255 | 30 | 9 | 527 | 264 | ||||||
2.2. International Statistics
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 1973 | 1 | 0 |
| 1974 | 3 | 2 | |
| 1975 | - | ||
| 1976 | 3 | 1 | |
| 1977 | 4 | 0 | |
| 1978 | 6 | 1 | |
| 1979 | 4 | 4 | |
| 1980 | 3 | 1 | |
| 1981 | 3 | 2 | |
| 1982 | 5 | 0 | |
| 1983 | - | ||
| 1984 | 6 | 1 | |
| Total | 38 | 12 | |
3. Post-Playing Career
Following his retirement as a player, Bernard Lacombe transitioned into various influential roles within football, primarily dedicating his extensive experience to Olympique Lyonnais.
3.1. Coaching and Administrative Roles
Lacombe joined the technical staff of his former club, Lyon, in 1988. He first served as a technical manager from 1988 to 1996, overseeing the club's technical direction. Subsequently, he took on the dual role of trainer and manager from 1996 to 2000. During his time as manager, he led Lyon to win the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1997, marking an early success in his coaching career. His contributions were instrumental in laying the groundwork for Lyon's future successes in Ligue 1 and on the European stage, contributing to the club's remarkable achievement of seven consecutive UEFA Champions League appearances.
3.2. Special Advisor and Club Influence
After his coaching tenure, Lacombe took on a significant long-term role as a "special advisor" to Olympique Lyonnais's president, Jean-Michel Aulas, a position he held for twenty years. In this capacity, his influence on the club's development was profound. He played a crucial part in strategic decisions and was particularly renowned for his role in key player recruitment. A notable aspect of his influence was his success in attracting and retaining several prominent Brazilian players who would join Lyon during the 2000s, forming the core of their dominant teams. These players included Juninho, Edmílson, Cris, Caçapa, and Fred, whose collective talent significantly elevated Lyon's standing in French and European football. His enduring presence and strategic foresight were key factors in shaping Lyon into a powerhouse during this period. In 2008, he notably visited Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan to share French development know-how, reflecting his ongoing influence and club's strategic partnerships.
4. Honours
Bernard Lacombe achieved numerous titles and awards throughout his distinguished playing and post-playing career.
4.1. Player Honours
Lyon
- Coupe de France: 1972-73
- Trophée des Champions: 1973
Bordeaux
- Division 1: 1983-84, 1984-85, 1986-87
- Coupe de France: 1985-86, 1986-87
- Trophée des Champions: 1986
France
- UEFA European Championship: 1984
4.2. Managerial/Staff Honours
Lyon
- UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1997
5. Legacy and Assessment
Bernard Lacombe's legacy in French football is multifaceted, encompassing his remarkable achievements as a player and his profound impact as a long-serving administrative figure, especially at Olympique Lyonnais. As a striker, his record of 255 goals in Ligue 1 solidifies his place as one of the most prolific goalscorers in the history of the French championship, a testament to his consistent performance and offensive prowess over nearly two decades.
Beyond the pitch, Lacombe's post-playing career cemented his status as a pivotal figure in Lyon's transformation from a traditional club to a dominant force in French football. His extensive experience, keen eye for talent (particularly in recruiting Brazilian players like Juninho Pernambucano), and strategic influence as a special advisor to President Jean-Michel Aulas were critical in establishing Lyon's era of domestic dominance and consistent presence in European competitions. This long-term commitment to a single club in various capacities, from player to manager and advisor, highlights his dedication and deep understanding of club development. His contributions are widely regarded as foundational to Olympique Lyonnais's success in the 2000s, leaving a lasting imprint on the club's identity and competitive standing.
[http://footballdatabase.eu/football.joueurs.bernard.lacombe.2243.en.html Bernard Lacombe player profile at footballdatabase.eu]