Former Super Eagles forward John Utaka has been named manager of Montpellier HSC’s women’s team, replacing Frederic Mendy.
The 43-year-old will share coaching duties with Baptiste Merle until the end of the season, working under sporting director Jean-Louis Saez. His appointment makes him the only African manager in France’s top-tier women’s league.
Utaka, who helped Montpellier’s men win their first Ligue 1 title in 2011–12 by scoring twice in the decisive match, returned to the club in 2020 as a youth team coach and briefly managed the women’s side in 2021. He earned his UEFA A Licence in 2022 and most recently served as assistant coach for the U-19 men’s team.
Montpellier sit fifth in Division 1 Féminine with 27 points from 19 matches, 11 points off third-placed Bordeaux. Utaka will reunite with Nigeria’s Ifeoma Onumonu, who joined the team earlier this year.