Costa will become the first female coach of a French professional team at Clermont Foot

The news that a woman would be entering the coaching level of second league men's football was greeted with elation in France.

"Bravo Clermont Foot for understanding that giving a place to women is the future of professional football," Najat Belkacem, France's women's minister, tweeted.

Veronique Soulier, president of Clermont Foot's supporters' club, said: "The boys in the team can be difficult to manage. They can be quite sensitive, that is what the other coaches have told us. With a woman in charge, maybe they will be less demanding."

"I cannot wait to return next season to be a part of it," said Clermont Foot defender Anthony Lippini. "I'm really curious. It will be a unique experience to be the first professional football team to be managed by a woman France. It is good. It creates a buzz."

Before this, the highest-profile appointment of a woman as coach of a men's team in Europe was that of Carolina Morace, who took charge of Italian Serie C1 team Viterbese for two matches in 1999. Around the same time, France had Nelly Viennot as the first woman to be assistant referee in an elite match.

In Spain, Maria Jose Claramunt is the director of the national team, but it is more a marketing than a sporting position.

Helena Costa becomes Europe's highest profile female football manager