Arsene Wenger has backed Helena Costa to succeed as manager of French Ligue 2 side Clermont Foot.

The Portuguese coach made history this week when she became the first woman to take charge of a team in the top two divisions of a leading European league.

Wenger is in favour of the appointment despite Costa's lack of managerial experience.

"If you are competent, you get the job anywhere"

"I like it," he said. "There are men managing women, why should women not manage men?

"The only thing I was always a big defender of in my life is to defend competence. If you are competent, you get the job anywhere.

"Having looked at her experience, the only restrictions you could have is she has very little experience as a coach but maybe she has top qualities and will show that.

"It's good that girls have a chance to manage men, so why not?"

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