Former coach's illness linked to football career

Jean-Marc Furlan, a former football coach with five promotions to Ligue 1, is suffering from a neurodegenerative disease likely linked to concussions he experienced during his career as a footballer. The condition now prevents him from forming coherent sentences and progressively affects his motor skills.

Wife writes book to raise awareness

His wife, Cécile Traverse Furlan, a doctor in sports psychology, has written a book to reveal her husband's illness and dispel rumors, while also raising awareness about the dangers of concussions and heading in football. She aims to educate the public and highlight the long-term risks associated with repeated head injuries in the sport.

Coach's public absence and unique methods

It had been three years since the general public had heard from Jean-Marc Furlan, this coach with an unmistakable style who became over the course of his career the specialist in Ligue 1 promotions, achieved five times, a record unmatched, with Troyes, Brest and AJ Auxerre. But since his dismissal from Stade Malherbe de Caen in November 2023, this appealing and unusual character in our championship has never appeared in public again.

Rumors and the decision to speak out

Rumors spread rapidly about Jean-Marc Furlan's mental state. It was to cut short these barroom gossip and to remind the public that her husband is not only that, quite the opposite, that his wife, Cécile Traverse Furlan, decided to take up the pen to announce to the general public the illness that her "man," as she regularly calls him, suffers from, a neurodegenerative disease that is slowly eroding his brain and is likely due to his football career and the repeated concussions he suffered over the years.

Daily challenges and caregiving efforts

Now unable to form coherent sentences and requiring constant attention to accompany him in this new life, Jean-Marc Furlan also suffers from the motor aspect of the disease, which gradually prevents him from moving as he wishes. "I know that one day he will no longer be able to walk, but that does not scare me," writes his companion, who has been with him for more than twenty years.

Care team and awareness campaign

After having fought to eventually get this neurodegenerative disease diagnosed, Cécile Traverse Furlan has been devoting herself for several years to slowing down this illness that is eroding her husband. Football, the passion of Jean-Marc, the origin of his illness. She has built around him a true elite team to help him work on his memory and body, while also dedicating her time to raise awareness about concussions and heading in football, which are very likely responsible for his current health condition.

Book prefaced by football icon

Prefaced by Raphaël Varane, one of the great names in football who fought during and after his career to address the dangers of repeated concussions and heading in football, this book also highlights the role of Cécile Traverse Furlan as a caregiver, who agreed to testify for 20 Minutes in front of the cameras of Story. From the first doubts to the diagnosis, cold and implacable, through their new disrupted daily life and the questions that arise about the role of football in the health of her husband, she offers here a powerful testimony that could help other caregivers in their daily support of their sick loved ones.

Testimony available online

Find Cécile Traverse Furlan's testimony in the video at the top of the article, or on Story, on 20minutes.tv.