No matter what happens this season in the WSL, it goes without saying that Emma Hayes has left a legacy at Chelsea that will be talked about for a very long time. Since joining the Blues in 2012, she has led the team to win six FA WSL titles, five Women’s FA cups, two FA Women’s league cups, one FA Women’s Spring Series trophy and a FA Women’s community shield. As one of the most decorated Women’s managers, it was a shock to all when she announced her departure from Chelsea at the end of this season.
One of the most respected managers in Women’s football, Hayes has made history with Chelsea achieving two doubles and a treble under her leadership. They hold the record for the 32 matches unbeaten, the longest streak in the WSL to date. Emma Hayes has written Chelsea into the history books as a winning team, along with her own name, being inducted into the WSL hall of fame in 2021.
When Emma Hayes arrived at Chelsea from the States, she had the experience of being head coach and director of football operations at Chicago Red Stars. She had seen the level of what women’s football achieved over in America and wanted to raise the game in England. As well as setting the standard on the pitch, she also laid the foundations at Chelsea that will help the club grow in continuing years; being a spokesperson for women’s health and pushing the club to look into more science and research for the game.
It’s been Emma Hayes’ ruthless coaching methods that have made household names out of players such as Sam Kerr, Millie Bright and Fran Kirby. In Chelsea’s ‘One team, One dream’ documentary Hayes is seen saying to Jess Carter “This is Chelsea, we don’t do zero.” when talking about the number of medals she had won. Her statement has certainly rung true throughout her duration at the club. A viral clip of Hayes giving a team talk, telling her players that if they didn’t perform better that she would “find better ones [players]”, shows the standard she held at Chelsea.
A pioneer in the women’s game, Emma Hayes will leave behind an outstanding legacy at Chelsea. But it leaves the question, which team will she be coaching next? Fingers are pointing towards the USA Women’s National Team but no official announcement has been announced.
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