Former Super Eagles striker, John Utaka, has been appointed head coach of Montpellier HSC’s women’s team in France, succeeding outgoing manager Frédéric Mendy.
According to French outlet Ouest-France, the 43-year-old will jointly oversee the squad with Baptiste Merle until the end of the season, working under the supervision of sporting director Jean-Louis Saez. The appointment makes Utaka the only African head coach currently in France’s top-tier women’s league.
Utaka shares a rich history with Montpellier. As a player, he played a decisive role in the men’s team’s historic 2011–12 Ligue 1 triumph, famously scoring twice on the final day to secure the club’s first-ever championship. He returned in 2020 as an attacking coach for the youth side and briefly managed the women’s team in 2021.
Since retiring from professional football in 2018, Utaka has pursued a coaching career, earning his UEFA A Licence in 2022. Until this latest appointment, he served as assistant coach for Montpellier’s U19 men’s team.
The women’s side currently sit fifth in Division 1 Féminine with 27 points from 19 matches, trailing third-placed Bordeaux by 11 points, while PSG and Lyon lead the standings.
Utaka will also reconnect with Nigerian international Ifeoma Onumonu, who joined the club earlier this year. Known for his calm leadership and attacking brand of football, the ex-forward—whose playing career spanned Nigeria, Egypt, Qatar, France, England, and Turkey—will be tasked with injecting discipline, teamwork, and offensive flair as Montpellier push for a strong finish to the season.
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