PARIS: Portuguese coach Helena Costa will not, after all, become the first woman to manage a mainstream professional team in France.

Claude Michy, president of second division Clermont, said today that the club “regretted the sudden and surprising decision.”

A statement added: “Helena Costa has decided not to honour her commitments vis-à-vis the Clermont Foot 63.”

The 36-year-old said: “I deeply regret this situation. I thank all those who have supported me and I am extremely grateful.”

A practical consequence is that the club have to find a new coach on the eve of the start of pre-season training tomorrow.

Costa worked previously with the youth setup at Benfica, and coached the women’s national teams of Qatar and Iran, as well as scouting for Scottish club Celtic.

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