August 12 – US women’s coach Emma Hayes says she is “having a blast” in charge of the side after guiding them to a record-extending fifth Olympic gold medal two months after taking the job.
The former Chelsea boss succeeded Vlatko Andonovski in May after their worst-ever World Cup performance last year – a round of 16 exit – and with high expectations of claiming an Olympic gold medal for the first time in 12 years.
“Sometimes we look at setbacks as something that shouldn’t have happened, I feel the opposite. I think Vlatko developed a group of players that may or may not have been ready at the time of the World Cup,” Hayes told reporters following their 1-0 final win over Brazil.
“Coaching is cyclical and it takes time, I believe I came in the right moment and let me tell you I’ve had a blast in the last month.
“Some of my best friends are in the coaching staff, I felt at times like I was at university, I felt lighter than I have felt in a long time and it’s not about weight of expectations, I know what this jersey means, but I’m not going to let it strangle me.”
British-born Hayes added that she was delighted to repay the U.S. with a gold medal after all the opportunities the country had given her.
“America means more to me than most people can realise. I was a 21-year-old that came from a society that didn’t embrace women’s football,” she said. “(The U.S.) nourished me, opened the doors for me and gave me opportunities that England never ever gave me and I’m so happy to repay that faith. I’m a delighted sort of half-American today.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1726813702labto1726813702ofdlr1726813702owedi1726813702sni@w1726813702ahsra1726813702w.wer1726813702dna1726813702