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Emma Hayes admitted it would be a fairytale end to her Chelsea career by lifting the Women\u2019s Champions League for the first time at the end of the season.<\/p>\n
Hayes will end her 12-year stay with the west-London club after this campaign.<\/p>\n
The Champions League is the one major trophy that has eluded the 47-year-old during that time, with the Blues having lost 4-0 in the 2021 final to Barcelona and reached the semi-finals on three other occasions.<\/p>\n
Speaking ahead of Chelsea\u2019s opening Group D fixture v Real Madrid, Hayes told a press conference: \u201cIt would be a fairytale to win it, of course. But I didn\u2019t grow up liking fairytales \u2013 my sister did.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would love nothing more than to be in a winning position with this team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chelsea beat Real 2-0 at Kingsmeadow last season courtesy of goals from Sophie Ingle and Erin Cuthbert before they drew 1-1 in the Spanish capital.<\/p>\n
And Hayes, who highlighted the threat of left-back Olga Carmona, believes the experience of playing Wednesday\u2019s opponents has helped her side\u2019s preparations.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cWe have analysed last season\u2019s match and Real Madrid\u2019s other matches, including this weekend\u2019s match (7-1 win v Real Sociedad). We know what to expect.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think having been here helps, it\u2019s something familiar, but we don\u2019t underestimate them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have many qualities, but I think they have the best on the extremes. The ability to go upwards, especially on the left with Olga.<\/p>\n
She is a mentor, a coach, a friend, life coach – it’s more than football playing under her.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have players looking for the back and putting balls into the area and they are very good in transition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chelsea captain Millie Bright admitted the news of Hayes\u2019 departure is \u201cdevastating\u201d.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cIt\u2019s been a bit of a whirlwind. I was devastated.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is a mentor, a coach, a friend, life coach \u2013 it\u2019s more than football playing under her. It is the hard part of football. I feel privileged to have played under her for so long.\u201d<\/p>\n