In a groundbreaking move that has sent ripples through the world of women’s football, Emma Hayes has been named the head coach of the USA Women’s National Team. The announcement marks a significant milestone not only for Hayes but also for the sport, as the highly respected and accomplished coach takes the reins of one of the most successful women’s football teams in the world.
Emma Hayes, the long-term head coach for Chelsea FC Women, one of the most successful women’s teams in Europe, started her coaching career in the United States at the dawn of the millennium and more than two decades later will take the helm of the US Women’s National Team.
“This is a huge honour to be given the opportunity to coach the most incredible team in world football history,” said Hayes. “The feelings and connection I have for this team and for this country run deep. I’ve dreamed about coaching the USA for a long time so to get this opportunity is a dream come true. I know there is work to do to achieve our goals of winning consistently at the highest levels. To get there, it will require dedication, devotion and collaboration from the players, staff and everyone at the U.S. Soccer Federation.”
You may ask, why Emma Hayes? Well, here’s why.
A Visionary Leader
Emma Hayes brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to her new role as the head coach of the USA Women’s National Team. Widely regarded as a visionary leader in women’s football, Hayes has achieved remarkable success as the manager of Chelsea FC Women. Under her guidance, Chelsea have claimed multiple domestic titles and has made a strong impact in international competitions, solidifying Hayes’ reputation as one of the top coaches in the game. In a Q&A with the USWNT, Hayes spoke about her coaching style, and how she coaches not only the player but the person.
“They’re human beings and I value that. I value them as people. I look forward to meeting them. I look forward to building relationships with them and find out what’s important to them, what matters, what motivates them, what inspires them, and from there teaching them to understand the importance that if you want to be the best, if you want to be the absolute best, your devotion and dedication to that has to be better than anything you’ve ever done before because the very best, whomever they are, or whatever they do, it’s not luck. It’s not something that’s just handed to you. It’s something that you have to work so incredibly hard for, and in order to get the best out of people, something I work hard to try and do, I have to know what makes them tick to do that.
Once I know what makes them tick, then it’s my job to make sure I bring out their best behaviors to hold them accountable to the things that they want themselves because playing on the team is really simple for me. Everybody’s goal is the same. Everyone wants to win, but what you do to make that happen, how you do that, that’s for me to make sure that I pay attention to, I’m mindful of, and that I drive the standards in an environment that has already got a high bar. If we want to be there, we got a lot of work to do.”
One of Emma Hayes’ strengths lies in her commitment to player development and empowerment. Her coaching philosophy goes beyond the field, emphasizing the holistic growth of athletes. Under her guidance, players are not just skilled on the pitch but are also encouraged to be leaders, decision-makers, and ambassadors for the sport. This focus on player development aligns seamlessly with the USA Women’s National Team’s commitment to fostering both skill and character in its athletes.
A Winning Mentality
Known for her strategic brilliance and tactical prowess, Emma Hayes is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the USA Women’s National Team. Her ability to instill a winning mentality and implement innovative game strategies has been evident in her coaching tenure at Chelsea, and fans can anticipate an exciting brand of football under her leadership.
Hayes comes to U.S. Soccer after leading the Chelsea FC Women for the last 11 seasons. Hayes was appointed as the Blues manager in August of 2012 and has won six Women’s Super League titles, one WSL Spring Series title, five Women’s FA Cups and two FA Women’s League Cups. In addition, Chelsea made the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final in 2021. Hayes was named The Best FIFA Women’s Coach of the Year for 2021 and is a finalist for the award in 2023. Hayes has led the club to five WSL and Cup doubles, winning the league and the FA Cup four times and the league and the League Cup once. Chelsea won the treble in 2020-2021, taking the WSL, FA Cup and League Cup trophies.
“I’ve been the manager of Chelsea for 12 years, and I manage a club of huge expectation and expecting to win is part of the DNA that I come from, but we have to be mindful to keep winning.” Hayes said.
So for us, we have to make sure every one of our athletes understand the importance of what we doing for 12 months of the year – not just with the National Team, but what they’re doing at a club level, and the importance of how professional everything has to be for them as well as for the team if we are to compete for the top titles, because worldwide the top players now are playing in year-round situations that puts them in an advantageous position.”
Building on a Legacy
Taking the helm of the USA Women’s National Team means inheriting a legacy of success. The team has been a dominant force in women’s football, with a storied history that includes multiple Olympic gold medals and FIFA World Cup victories. Emma Hayes faces the challenge of not only maintaining this legacy but also evolving the team’s style of play and ensuring continued success on the international stage.
“I understand how important this team is to the people and culture of the United States, not just the soccer community,” said Hayes. “I fully understand the place this team has in U.S. society. I’ve lived it. I remember being a young coach working my way up through the system in the U.S. and watching all those young girls aspire to play on the U.S. Women’s National Team. For me, the honor in building on that legacy is part of my motivation, no question.”
Global Impact and Representation
Emma Hayes’ appointment as the head coach of the USA Women’s National Team is more than a coaching change; it represents a step forward in promoting diversity and global collaboration in women’s football. Her British background brings an international perspective to the American team, contributing to the growing trend of collaboration and exchange of ideas among the global football community.
So what happens now?
Emma Hayes’ appointment as the head coach of the USA Women’s National Team marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in women’s football. Hayes is the tenth full-time manager in the history of the USWNT and the second to hail from England. The other was Jill Ellis, who won back-to-back World Cups in 2015 and 2019. With Hayes strategic acumen, commitment to player development, and a proven record of success, she is poised to lead the team to new heights.
Hayes will finish the 2023-24 Women’s Super League season in England and then join the U.S. team officially two months prior to the start of the 2024 Olympics. Interim head coach Twila Kilgore will continue in her role and then join Hayes’ staff full-time as an assistant coach. When Hayes officially joins U.S. Soccer, she will have four matches on the U.S. bench before the Olympics, two in June and two in July.
As the football world eagerly anticipates the impact of this historic appointment, one thing is certain: Emma Hayes is set to leave an indelible mark on the USA Women’s National Team and the broader landscape of women’s football.
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