Ex-Super Eagles Forward John Utaka Lands Montpellier Coaching Job

Former Super Eagles forward, John Utaka has been handed a coaching role at French Ligue 1 side Montpellier and the formal announcement was made via a statement on their Facebook page.

The former striker is to handle the youth team of the Ligue 1 side.
Utaka was instrumental in Montpellier winning their only French Ligue 1 title with the speed racer scoring a brace in the final day of the 2011/2012 season to power them to a 2-1 win over Auxerre which handed them the title ahead of PSG by three points.

The dub named him as coach of the L119 team with his pet team Utaka FC posting a message congratulating him on his new role at the dub which is entirely different from when he was last associated with them.

‘It was with great pleasure that I learned of the appointment of John Chukwudi Utaka as a youth team coach in Montpellier HSc of France. Allow me to congratulate you most warmly both on my behalf and on behalf of the John Utaka Football Academy family,” the statement read.

The 38-year-old Nigerian will resume training with the group after the easing of the lockdown in France where he will also act as one of the four assistant coaches at the club.

Utaka’s first stint outside the shore of the country was with Ismalia FC of Egypt before he moved to French Ligue 1.

Other prominent former international players with coaching role outside the country include; Sunday Oliseh, Emmanuel Amuneke, Austin Eaguavoen and late Stephen Keshi.