Analysing Emma Hayes’ decision to leave Chelsea
Chelsea Women’s head coach Emma Hayes has stressed the importance of remaining “professional” with the team despite announcing that she will leave at the end of the season. The 47-year-old is set to join the USWNT after a 12-year spell at the Blues, and her comments will be music to the ears of both fans and players ahead of her arrival.
Hayes made the decision to leave Chelsea following years of success with the current Women’s Super League champions. The head coach will depart the club with at least six FA WSL titles, five Women’s FA Cups, two FA Women’s League Cups, a FA Women’s Spring Series trophy and one FA Women’s Community Shield.
News of her impending departure came as a shock to both Chelsea players and fans. And speaking ahead of the team’s next WSL game against Everton on Sunday, Hayes took the time to reaffirm her commitment to the team.
When asked if the Chelsea players only found out about the news of her departure moments before it went public, the 47-year-old, replied: “Yes, because I’m a professional and I had a job to do to coach the game and it’s important that the players hear it from me, not anyone else.
“I value communication and I value that relationship, and those relationships with them. The understand that this is football and these things happen.
“Yes it’s quite unusual when you have one manager at a place for 12 years – I didn’t necessarily envisage I would be anywhere else. But that’s life, and I will be.
“And I know that my goal is to leave this dressing room in the best possible place because I know that when I started here at this football club it was always my goal to leave it in a better place, and I’ll make sure on my way out that I’ll do absolutely everything to make sure that this football club stays at the top.”
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Hayes was asked how the players reacted to the news, adding: “I’m sure you can appreciate that’s between us. We had a few hugs.
“We’re close, that’s always been the way and like I said they respect my decision and they’re ultimate professionals and there’s zero chance anyone will down tool.”
Hayes’ comments will surely be warmly welcomed by USWNT fans and players following the team’s disappointing run at the Women’s World Cup. Under the guidance of Vlatko Andonovski – who has since been relieved of his role – the team finished the tournament in the round of 16.
The exit came at the hands of Sweden who won the game via a highly controversial penalty shootout, seeing the USWNT endure their worst-ever World Cup finish.
The team will be hoping for a better run of results with Hayes in charge given her impressive track record. It will be her third managerial role, which has included stints in the US with spells at the Long Island Lady Riders, Iona Gaels and the Chicago Red Stars.
Hayes and Chelsea will next be in action when they face Everton on Sunday, November 12 as the Blues look to cemement their place at the top of the WSL.
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