Helena Costa Becomes First Female Manager At Clermont Foot

Helena Costa Becomes First Female Manager At Clermont Foot

French Ligue 2 side Clermont Foot have announced they will be managed by a woman next season, with Helena Costa appointed as head coach.

The 36-year-old Portuguese is to leave her role with the Iranian women's national side, Clermont confirmed on their official website.

"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.

Costa previously worked 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 coached age-group sides at Benfica between 1997 and 2010, with Cheleirense giving her a first taste of coaching a senior male side in the 2005/06 season. She won the Regional Lisbon League with them.

She switched to women's football after that, before taking over the Qatar national women's side between 2010 and 2012, then heading to Iran.

Clermont plan to announce more details of Costa's deal when she is presented at the end of the season.

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