French football club, Clermont, has just made history by appointing Helena Costa as the club’s new manager – and we’re hoping that other clubs will soon follow suit.
The club made the announcement today that Costa will replace Regis Brouard as the club’s coach. This is the first time a woman has been appointed as manager for a men’s professional football club.
Of course, Costa has a resume that’s pretty impressive. The 36-year old Portuguese beauty was previously the head coach of both the Iranian National women’s team as well as the national women’s team of Qatar.
Along with coaching on a national level, Costa also coached youth teams for Benefica and successfully led the under-17 team to not one, but two World Youth titles.
Besides managing, she had previously also worked as a scout for top Scottish club, Celtic. Celtic was also one of the first institutions to congratulate Costa on her new job. The club congratulated Costa on her ‘historic appointment’ on Twitter.
Besides being the first female to coach a professional men’s side in France, Costa is also the first lady to be appointed as manager of a club that is in within the top two divisions in Europe’s five leagues.
Sure, there have been female board members; directors and executives in football clubs, Costa is the first woman to actually coach a high level team.
It’s amazing to see that things are changing in the world of sport. Hopefully Costa’s appointment will encourage other football clubs, as well as other sport codes, to accommodate women more. As for Costa, it will be very interesting to see what this lady will do to Clermont – because she’s obviously not just a pretty face. You go, girl!
Source: Mashable