Former Super Eagles striker John Utaka has been appointed as the new head coach of Montpellier’s women’s team in France. He takes over from Frédéric Mendy and will work alongside Baptiste Merle until the end of the season, under sporting director Jean-Louis Saez.
The 43-year-old becomes the only African head coach in France’s top women’s league, Division 1 Féminine.
Utaka has a strong history with Montpellier. As a player, he helped the club win its first-ever Ligue 1 title in 2011/12, scoring twice on the final day. He later returned in 2020 as a youth team coach and briefly managed the women’s side in 2021.
Since retiring in 2018, Utaka has focused on coaching. He earned his UEFA A Licence in 2022 and was most recently assistant coach for Montpellier’s U19 men’s team.
Montpellier’s women currently sit fifth in the league with 27 points from 19 games, 11 points behind third-placed Bordeaux. PSG and Lyon lead the standings.
Utaka will also work with fellow Nigerian international Ifeoma Onumonu, who joined the club earlier this year.
Fans hope his leadership and attacking style will help the team finish the season strongly.
