In 2019-2020 , the Blues won the WSL title and the League Cup and then successfully defended both trophies the next season while also reaching their first Champions League Final . Those successes resulted in Hayes being named WSL Manager of the Season in consecutive campaigns , and she was also honored with The Best FIFA Women ’ s Coach Award in 2021 . The triumphs of the 2021-2022 WSL season made Hayes the first coach to guide a team to three consecutive WSL titles . Last season – 2022-2023 – marked yet another double as Chelsea won the League and FA Cups .
Hayes , 47 , the long-time head coach for Chelsea FC , 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 takes the helm of the USWNT .
Hayes , who grew up in London and went to university in Liverpool , came to the USA in 2001 . She coached at the youth levels – working with players as young as Under-8s – with numerous clubs in the Long Island area , coached in the New York Olympic Development Program and was a member of the Region I staff . Her first head coaching job was with the Long Island Lady Riders in the USL W- League from 2001-2003 . She was the youngest female head coach in the league and was named W-League Coach of the year in 2002 . From 2003 onward , she has been a consistent presenter at the annual convention for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America , now United Soccer Coaches .
She ’ s hired now in November but only comes to take the reins in May 2024 .
Hayes will become the highest paid women ’ s soccer coach in the world ..
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 . Crocker , Kilgore and her staff are engaged in developing a plan to work with Hayes to ensure a successful transition .
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 .
“ This is a unique situation , but the team is in safe hands with Twila ,” said Crocker . “ Her stewardship will be crucial during this period as we are focused on
Matt Crocker — USSF Sporting Director success at the
Olympics . Emma has endorsed Twila , she will be a key part of Emma ’ s staff when she arrives and moving forward , and we are excited for what ’ s to come with our USWNT program .”
Emma ’ s passion when talking about U . S ., with so much knowledge , bilingual English and Spanish . Creativity of the team — Olympics has fewer spots , so player ’ s versatility is the key . Specific training for women – Players performing very well in their club environment . Twila can and is applying tactics . Emma has clarity in communication , able to give a clear message to players , assistants , helpers .
“ This is a huge honor 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 .”
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