Montpellier Appoints John Utaka As Head Coach of Women’s Team
1 min read
By Sportsgister
Former Super Eagles forward John Utaka has been appointed head coach of French D’Arkema side, Montpellier Feminine, replacing Senegal’s Frederic Mendy, who was sacked due to the team’s poor run of form. Utaka, 43, will be assisted by Frenchman Baptiste Merle and Sports Director Jean-Louis Saez.
Utaka played for Montpellier from January 2011 to July 2013, winning the French Ligue 1 in his first season at the club. He returned to Montpellier in May 2020 as a youth team coach.
As a player, Utaka represented Nigeria 48 times, scoring six goals and participating in two World Cups (2002 and 2010) and the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished third.
Utaka’s appointment signals Montpellier’s ambition to compete at a higher level in the French women’s top flight. With his UEFA A Licence and experience working within Montpellier’s youth setup, Utaka is well-equipped to lead the team.
Notably, Montpellier Féminin currently boasts Super Falcons forward Ifeoma Onumonu, who was part of the Nigerian squad that lifted the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
