Emma Hayes has become accustomed to the feeling of winning, but the fourth consecutive Women’s Super League title for Chelsea brought a new sense of relief. “It’s gin o’clock!” Hayes exclaimed after celebrating with the trophy in front of the cheering fans. Despite the usual trophy-laden finish to the season, this year has been particularly difficult for the 46-year-old. In October, Hayes had emergency hysterectomy surgery, leaving her assistant coaches in charge for almost two months. “Having to recover from a hysterectomy midway through a season is not something most managers will be able to relate to. Let me tell you, it was really tough,” Hayes told BBC Sport.
The title race went down to the final day with Chelsea knowing victory over Reading would make them champions, two points ahead of Manchester United who won 1-0 at Liverpool. With Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City all competing, Chelsea had to find new ways to win this season. Injuries to key players throughout the campaign added further strain on the squad. “Sometimes it’s survival. In order to keep going, you have to survive,” said Hayes. Chelsea have done more than just survive this season, but while they celebrated their victory at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading were processing their relegation from the WSL after eight years. Reading boss Kelly Chambers, a friend of Hayes, was in tears at full-time.
Hayes likes to enjoy living in the moment but still has ambitions – and that includes winning more trophies with Chelsea. Saturday’s WSL crown was Hayes’ 14th major trophy with Chelsea, and she is eyeing Vik Akers’ record of 36 trophies with Arsenal between 1993 and 2009. “I said to him, I’m coming for your record. He laughed and said: ‘You ain’t gonna get it’. But I said: ‘I am, I’m coming for your record’. I think it’s a different time now and he acknowledges that. It is much harder to win,” said Hayes.