Helena Costa, a 36-year-old Portuguese coach, is set to make history as she takes the reins at Clermont Foot in Ligue 2 next season, becoming the first woman to coach a professional football team in France. The announcement was made by the club in a press release on Wednesday.
Costa will succeed Régis Brouard, an experienced coach who is departing the club. The news came as a surprise to many, including Clermont Foot player Emmanuel Imorou from Benin, who initially thought it was just a rumor.
“I took it for a rumor… And when the sports director announced this decision to us, we were all surprised,” said Imorou in an interview with France Football.
The news prompted a range of reactions among the players. Imorou described the initial shock and subsequent discussions among the team, with some players making jokes and others expressing curiosity about how Costa would manage a group of men and impose her authority.
While Imorou acknowledged that obeying a female coach might be a challenge for some, he personally did not have any preconceptions about Costa’s knowledge of football.
“Obey a woman? This can be a problem. Not for me, but others,” Imorou remarked, highlighting the potential cultural and societal barriers that Costa may face as she takes on her new role.
Tags: Benin, Clermont, Emmanuel Imorou, France, Helena Costa, Ligue 2
