Foxsports - Players from French second-division club Clermont welcomed the appointment of Helena Costa, the first woman to coach a men's professional soccer team in France.

Clermont announced the hiring for next season on Wednesday on its website, adding ''this nomination should help Clermont enter into a new era,'' and that she will work closely in developing the club's youth team players.

The length of the contract and financial terms were not revealed.

The 36-year-old Costa, who is Portuguese, previously worked with the youth setup at Benfica, and coached the women's national teams of Qatar and Iran, as well as scouting for Scottish club Celtic.

She will replace Regis Brouard, who has Clermont in 14th place with two matches remaining.

''She has already worked alongside men in the professional world (of football) so she knows how it works,'' Clermont striker Remy Dugimont said. ''No one has any experience of this, sure, but if it's worked elsewhere, why wouldn't it work here? Of course it will feel a bit strange at first, but that will only last a few days.''