Emma Hayes to leave Chelsea at end of WSL season, tipped for USA job

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes will leave the defending Women’s Super League (WSL) champions at the end of the season, the club said on Saturday, amid reports she is being lined up to take over the United States team.

Hayes, who joined the club in 2012, is one of the most decorated managers in women’s football, having won 14 major trophies at Chelsea, including six WSL titles and five FA Cups in a glittering tenure that has seen her establish the club as one of Europe’s best and most consistent.

Chelsea’s Australian superstar Sam Kerr embraces manager Emma Hayes after victory in the 2021 FA Cup final. They went on to win it again in 2022.Credit: Getty Images

Along with Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson, Hayes has been linked to the US national team job, which has been vacant since Vlatko Andonovski resigned in August following a disappointing World Cup that saw the defending champions go out on penalties to Sweden in the last 16.

Prior to moving to West London, Hayes coached in America, including stints at Long Island Lady Riders, Iona College and Chicago Red Stars.

She is credited with bringing Australian superstar Sam Kerr to the WSL, signing the Matildas’ captain from the Red Stars in 2020.

Chelsea said Hayes was leaving to “pursue a new opportunity outside of the WSL and club football.”

“Emma has been one of the biggest drivers of change in women’s football. Her achievements at Chelsea are unrivalled and will live in the club’s history forever,” co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said in a statement.

“Given everything she has contributed to Chelsea in over a decade with the club, and the legacy she leaves behind, we would never stand in her way when she felt it was the right time to pursue a new challenge.”

Club chairman Todd Boehly and co-owner Behdad Eghbali said Hayes’ contribution to Chelsea “cannot be understated”

“She has been a pioneer in women’s football and is hugely respected within the game,” they said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to work together over the coming months.”

Hayes will look to seal a seventh WSL title – and possibly a Champions League – before she departs at the end of the season.

The announcement came shortly after the Blues had trounced Aston Villa, six different players making it onto the scoresheet in the 6-0 rout.

Chelsea sit top of the table on 13 points after five games, three ahead of second-placed Manchester City, who face Arsenal on Sunday.

– with Reuters, AP

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