November 26 – United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) head coach, Emma Hayes, has revealed that towards the end of her time coaching the seven-time WSL Champions, Chelsea, she was unwell.
Hayes 48, spent 12 years in West London, turning Chelsea into the most dominant women’s team in England, however, she said ahead of the USA versus England match on Saturday that the stress of the position just became too much.
“I don’t have to sacrifice the things that made me healthy. I didn’t feel healthy at the end, I actually felt unwell at the end of my time at Chelsea.
“It wasn’t pressure, it was the stress and toll it took on me and doing that during menopause was even harder.
“To get on top of all of those things, I’ve got my mojo back and my smile and enjoyment back which I didn’t realize I had lost.”
Hayes had led Chelsea to an unprecedented five successive WSL titles before her departure at the end of the 2023-24 season to coach the 4-time World Champions, USA. With the Americans going through a rebuild after losing in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, much was expected of Hayes and she delivered in spectacular fashion with the USA winning their 6thgold medal at the Paris Olympics.
On Saturday, Hayes will be coaching against many of the players who gave her so much domestic success but added that it will be strictly business against the reigning European Champions.
“Of course I need to go through a weird moment when the national anthems are being played,” she said. “I’ll hum along to it being the English person I am, but also the same for the US one because I love it – I love both anthems.
“Beyond that weird moment and coming up against players I’ve gone to war with, it’s business come kick-off. I hope it’s an entertaining game and a sell-out.”
This will be the first time she has coached against current Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman, a contest that Hayes relishes.
“We had a great relationship when I was at Chelsea. She’s someone I really look up to, and someone who’s done an amazing job for football in this country and for the Lionesses. So I look forward to giving her a hug on Saturday and saying ‘hi’.”
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1735268454labto1735268454ofdlr1735268454owedi1735268454sni@o1735268454fni1735268454