Emma Hayes, a longtime manager of Chelsea, was overjoyed to be appointed head coach of the US women’s national football team. Her job will be to turn things around following the nation’s most dismal Women’s World Cup campaign.
In her 11 seasons with the Women’s Super League (WSL) team, the 47-year-old London native led Chelsea to 13 major trophies, making her one of the most successful professional managers in the sport.
She will become the highest-paid women’s football coach in the world with her contract with the US, which is expected to last until at least 2027. No financial information was disclosed.
In the statement announcing her appointment, Hayes stated, “Being given the chance to coach the most incredible team in world football history is a huge honor.”
“This is a dream come true for me—I’ve been dreaming of coaching the USA for a long time.”
Hayes will quit her position at Chelsea in May to explore a new opportunity “outside the WSL and club football,” the team announced on November 4.
Twila Kilgore will remain the US interim leader until she becomes an assistant coach on Hayes’ team.
Hayes takes over for Vlatko Andonovski, who resigned a few days after the Americans’ unexpected loss to Sweden in the 2023 Women’s World Cup quarterfinals. The Americans, who have won a record four world titles, had never placed worse than third in any previous race.
The US will try to win their fifth gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, one of her first big competitions.
“I am aware that more work needs to be done to reach our objectives of continuously winning at the greatest levels. It will take commitment, teamwork, and effort to get there, Hayes said.
Her four matches on the US bench before the Paris Games—two in June and two in July—are anticipated, according to US Soccer, so she will have a short turnaround to get to know the squad before the Olympics.
Since joining Chelsea in 2012, Hayes has won six WSL titles and five FA Cups. During his illustrious career, Hayes has solidified Chelsea’s position as one of Europe’s elite teams.
In addition, she has led the club to two victories and an unprecedented domestic treble.
She is an outspoken supporter of women’s football off the field and has been open about health concerns and the difficulties of juggling parenthood with athletics.
