Updated at 12.55
FRENCH SECOND DIVISION club Clermont today named Portuguese Helena Costa as coach, becoming one of the highest-level teams in Europe to put a woman in charge.
Costa, 36, trained with Benfica before coaching the women’s national sides in Qatar and Iran. She has also worked as a scout for Scottish champions Celtic and top clubs in Spain and Portugal.
She becomes the first-ever female to manage a professional men’s team in France, and will take charge after the club’s final two games of the season.
“This nomination will allow Clermont Foot 63 to enter a new era,” said a club statement announcing the appointment.
Celtic have already given their congratulations to Costa.
Additional reporting by Paul Fennessy