Helena Costa, the first woman to lead a men's team

Last update 29 March, 2024 by Alberto Llopis

The name of Helena Costa has come fully to the fore. Fully immersed in the 21st century, There is no room for sexist differences and what better way to corroborate this than to offer a woman the possibility of running a men's club?. The president of the Clermont Foot, Claude Michy, sports event organizer, especially when it comes to the motor world. The eccentric president of this humble French football team has always been characterized by following his instinct and, as he himself said,, There are times in life when it is necessary to be a precursor rather than an acolyte..

Helena Costa: The first woman to lead a team of men

For the first time, We will see in France a woman in charge of a professional men's club. In what is an unprecedented event in European sport at this level. Helena Costa will be in charge of courageously directing the Clermont Foot 63 of the League 2 in France. Preparation and experience are not lacking, since the Portuguese 36 years is seasoned in a thousand battles, and has an immaculate resume. Until 2010 He belonged to the coaching staff of Benfica's youth teams., to become coach of the Qatar women's teams that same year.

In 2012 surprisingly led to Iran's. Costa has not only belonged to several technical teams. But she has even worked as a scout for the Celtic de Glasgow and other leading teams in Spain or Portugal.

If we go back to 1999, we can find the only precedent in European football, where a modest third-tier Italian club called Viterbese, hired Carolina Morace, a recognized female calcium forward during the 80 y 90. Without much luck and with some setbacks he had to resign after a couple of games. From “Hanging for Football” we continue with our particular support for women in the world of football, and we hope that the young Helena Costa has more luck than her predecessor.

A new era begins in French football, particularly at Clermont Foot 63, where Helena Costa will have 17 men with a valid contract and a group of young homegrown players until the squad is complete. With no other objective than permanence in the Ligue 2, The Portuguese woman has before her the opportunity to continue crossing barriers and open one of the few doors that women lack. football, a world in which women begin to occupy the covers.