French second-tier outfit Clermont Foot have announced that Portuguese manager Helena Costa will take over next season. Costa, 36, will become the first female coach of a French professional club.
Announcing the appointment on Wednesday, a statement on Clermont's website confirmed that Costa – who was most recently coach of the Iran women's team – will be introduced to the media after this season's final fixtures have been completed.
"Clermont Foot 63 has chosen Helena Costa to be our new coach," read the statement.
"Helena Costa came through the ranks at Benfica before taking charge of the women's teams at Odivelas, then the national teams of Qatar and Iran, in addition to working as a scout for Celtic.
"This appointment will allow Clermont Foot 63 to begin a new era, relying on a group of 17 players currently under contract, which will be added young players from the club."
Costa joined Benfica's academy as a teenager in 1997 and progressed from the Under 9s team to coaching the club's Uncder 17s, whom she led to two World Youth titles.
Clermont are 14th in Ligue 2 with two matches to go and defender Anthony Lippini – who is currently recovering from a knee injury – has admitted he is curious to see what changes Costa will make when she begins her new post in the summer.
"I was talking with my physiotherapist about the time when the first woman entered the army – a very macho environment. At first, there was a lot of shock. But now, women in the army is has become normal. This may be the same in football," Lippini told L'Equipe.
"I cannot wait to return next season to be a part of it. I'm really curious. It will be a unique experience to be the first professional football team to be managed by a woman France. It is good. It creates a buzz."
Costa spent three years scouting for Celtic in Portugal and Spain between 2008 and 2011 before moving to her post with Qatar.
"We would like to congratulate Helena sincerely on taking up this new role," said a spokesman for the Scottish champions.
"She did an excellent job for us and we know she will give her new position the same high level of commitment and dedication which she gave to Celtic."
The news was also welcomed by Najat Belkacem, France's Women's Minister, who said on Twitter: "Bravo Clermont Foot for understanding that giving a place to women is the future of professional football."
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, France had Nelly Viennot as the first woman to be assistant referee in an elite match. Viennot also served as assistant referee in Champions League games.
In Germany, referee Bibiana Steinhaus officiates in second division games. She is the first woman referee in the second Bundesliga and the first to have been a referee in the German Cup.
In Spain, Maria Jose Claramunt is the director of the national team, responsible more for marketing than sporting issues.
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/07/helena-costa-clermont-foot-manager This is awesome.
