Clermont coach Corinne Diacre, the first woman to take charge of a men’s professional club in a major European country, was at the helm of her first training session on Monday vowing to “write history”.
The 39-year-old was the second surprise choice to take charge of the second division club after Portugal’s Helena Costa was handed the post before abruptly resigning on the eve of her tenure.
Greeted by some 30 fans for her first real day in charge, Diacre, dressed in a black tracksuit and bright pink trainers greeted supporters enthusiastically before linking up with her assistants for the business at hand.
“I am delighted and very happy to be here,” she beamed.
“I want to take this road as far as I can and I’m not just here temporarily but I want to write history for the club of Clermont,” she said.
Officially appointed on Saturday, just five days after Costa announced her shock resignation, Diacre will be closely scrutinised in a job never before held by a woman in France.
Costa had cited the club’s sporting director Olivier Chavagnon’s recruitment of players without her agreement as one of the reasons behind her resignation.
“Whatever happened before I arrived I only followed from a great distance and through the media. I am not passing any opinion on this matter,” said Diacre.
“I came here Thursday after a call from Claude Michy (club president) because I wanted to form my own opinion and I knew what I wanted.”
According to reports, Michy contacted one woman in his quest to find a coach as well as 45 male candidates.
“What was a determining factor was that we looked each other in the eye, the contact was good and sincere,” she explained.
“As for the pressure, that is something I put on myself permanently and I am always concerned about details. I’m a competitor.
“We need to be ready for the season which starts in five weeks but I’m not alone here and I have confidence in the staff,” she added.
After arriving early in the day at the Gabriel-Montpied stadium, one of the first players she met was midfielder Pierrick Capelle.
“The first impressions were really very good,” said Capelle. “Things will happen step by step and she will give us her instructions calmly as we go along.”
Diacre was formerly coach of the Soyaux women’s team and assistant coach to Bruno Bini on the France women’s team between 2007 and 2013.
A former France captain, she appeared at three World Cups and nine European championships but only received her coaching badges in May.
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