HELENA COSTA WILL not be taking over as the new coach of French side Clermont, a decision described by the club president as “sudden and surprising”.
The 36-year-old Costa made global headlines as the first woman to take charge of a men’s professional team in a leading European nation after being named in May to coach Clermont, who play in France’s second tier.
But Clermont president Claude Michy said: “Helena Costa has decided not to take up her commitments at Clermont Foot 63.
This decision is sudden and surprising. I deeply regret this situation.
When announcing her appointment last month, Michy had been forced to dismiss suggestions that his move for Costa, who has a UEFA A coaching licence and a Masters degree in sports science, was a publicity stint and said that he had “chosen a coach first and foremost, not a woman”.
Costa was previously a youth coach at Lisbon giants Benfica before winning a regional league title with Portuguese amateur club Cheleirense.
Since then Costa has had spells coaching the women’s teams of both Qatar and Iran, and was also a scout for Scottish giants Celtic.
