Emma Hayes, the former head coach of Chelsea Women’s Football Club, has embarked on a new adventure as the head coach of the United States women’s national team. In an interview, Hayes expressed her excitement about the opportunity and how much she needed this change. She vividly recalls the moment she received the offer while sitting at her kitchen table with her son and a close friend. The friend, an American woman named Lisa Cole, was ecstatic about the opportunity for Hayes to make a difference in women’s football.
Hayes wasted no time diving into her new role. Just days after Chelsea secured their fifth consecutive Women’s Super League title, she arrived in New York City. During her time there, she engaged with US broadcasters and even appeared on the Today Show, where she met actor Chris Pratt. Reflecting on the media attention that comes with the job, Hayes humorously mentioned that she had never had her hair brushed so much.
Despite acknowledging that the US women’s team is no longer feared by other nations as they once were, Hayes firmly believes that managing the Stars and Stripes is still the most significant job in women’s football. She draws a parallel between the team and Brazil in men’s football, emphasizing their historical significance and global impact on women’s football. Hayes feels that her arrival has come at the right time, as the team looks to rebuild and regain their dominance.
While the US team has fallen to fourth place in the world rankings after their disappointing performance in the 2019 Women’s World Cup, Hayes isn’t concerned about rankings. Instead, she is focused on building trust and relationships within the team. She understands that reclaiming their position at the top will be challenging without a Nations League competition.
Hayes began her managerial career in the United States before moving to Chelsea in 2012. She is familiar with American terminology and is confident that her Americanisms will come back naturally. However, she acknowledges that it will take time to turn the US team into a winning machine once again. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on the processes and steps needed to perform at the required level, rather than solely focusing on winning medals.
Hayes is thrilled about the opportunity to lead the US women’s team at the Paris Olympics this summer. She describes it as a dream come true and believes that success is not solely defined by medals. For her, success is about being in a position to lead a fantastic team and having the privilege to do so. Regardless of the outcome at the Olympics, she already considers herself a winner.
Reflecting on her departure from Chelsea, Hayes states that it was a slow process but feels that it came at the right time. She cherishes her time at Chelsea and holds the team close to her heart. As she starts this new chapter, she is genuinely excited about the road ahead. Hayes expresses her love for the United States, its people, their warmth, and their energy. She appreciates their attitudes towards women and women’s sports, noting the growth of support in the country. Hayes is eager to meet the fans and hopes to make both the team and the country proud in her new role.