Former Nigerian international John Utaka has been appointed head coach of French club Montpellier’s women’s team, taking over from Frédéric Mendy.
French outlet Ouest France reports that the 43-year-old will work alongside Baptiste Merle until the end of the season, with support from sporting director Jean-Louis Saez.
This appointment makes Utaka the only African head coach currently managing in France’s top women’s division.
Utaka, who helped Montpellier’s men’s team clinch the Ligue 1 title in 2011–2012 — famously scoring twice in the final match — returned to the club in 2020 to coach youth attackers and briefly managed the women’s side in 2021.
Since retiring from professional football in 2018, the former forward has pursued a coaching career, earning his UEFA A Licence in 2022 and serving as assistant coach for Montpellier’s U19 men’s team.
Montpellier’s women currently sit fifth in Division 1 with 27 points from 19 matches, trailing third-placed Bordeaux by 11 points.
Utaka will also link up with Nigeria’s Super Falcons striker Ifeoma Onumonu, who joined the club earlier this year. He is expected to bring a disciplined, team-focused and attack-minded style to the squad.