Emma Hayes

Early life

Hayes was born in Camden, London, and attended Parliament Hill School. She played for Arsenal's academy as a midfielder from 1988 to 1996, but an ankle injury while on a ski trip when she was 17 ultimately ended her playing career. With football ruled out, Hayes studied European studies, Spanish, and sociology at Liverpool Hope University College and later read for a master's degree in intelligence and international affairs.

Career

While at Liverpool Hope, Hayes coached the women's football team from 1997 to 1999. In 1999, she moved back to London, helping develop youth players at Croydon and Crystal Palace. In 2002, she became the manager of the Long Island Lady Riders on Long Island, New York, becoming the youngest coach in the league. In the USL W-League, she led the team to finish first in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference, and was named as the league's coach of the season. The team won their conference semi-final match 3–1 against the New York Magic, before losing 4–2 in the conference championship against the Boston Renegades. She was appointed as the head coach for the Iona Gaels women's team, of Iona College in New Rochelle, New York, on 22 January 2003, where she remained until the end of the 2005 season.

She returned to England to become the assistant first team coach for Arsenal Ladies over 3 seasons between 2005 and 2008, during which time the team won 11 major trophies including three Women's Premier League titles, three FA Women's Cups and the UEFA Women's Cup. At the same time, she was also the club's Academy director, overseeing the development of young players.

Hayes joined the Chicago Red Stars of Women's Professional Soccer as a manager on 15 May 2008. After she was sacked in 2010, she took up a technical director role at Western New York Flash and advised them on transfers, helping to create a team that won the 2011 Women's Professional Soccer championship. After another stint as a consultant for Washington Freedom, Hayes returned to London and worked for the family business, Covent Garden FX, a currency exchange.

Chelsea

During the mid-season 2012 Summer Olympics break on 14 August 2012, Chelsea hired Hayes as manager for the remainder of the 2012 season following the resignation of Matt Beard to become manager at Liverpool. Hayes managed her first match with Chelsea on 18 August 2012 in a 1–0 win at Doncaster Rovers Belles.

2015 season

After narrowly missing out on the 2014 FA WSL 1 title on the final day, Hayes oversaw a huge squad overhaul that bore witness to the addition of several arrivals. Swedish shot-stopper Hedvig Lindahl and promising England centre-half Millie Bright were among the new recruits. Marija Banusic, Gemma Davison and Niamh Fahey also joined Chelsea, signing from Kristianstads, Liverpool Ladies and Arsenal Ladies respectively. Later on in the season, Hayes won the race for Reading and England forward Fran Kirby for a British record fee. With the agonising memories of final-day defeat still fresh in memory, Hayes guided her side to a historic league and cup double, edging the FA Cup Final thanks to a lone strike from Ji So-yun late on in the first half. Later on in the season, they avenged themselves by winning The FA WSL 1 title, after hammering Sunderland at home 4–0 to secure the trophy.

In the Women's Champions League, Hayes's side reached the last 16 after defeating Glasgow City. After their 2–1 home defeat by VfL Wolfsburg, Hayes criticised The Football Association for poor fixture scheduling, insisting that the competition is "geared to French, German and Swedish teams, and until we change that or listen to clubs like Chelsea we are always going to get knocked out in the early rounds."

2016–17 season

Hayes' side finished second in The FA WSL 1, five points adrift of Champions Manchester City. The Blues also reached the FA Cup Final for the second consecutive year, losing 1–0 to a strong Arsenal side. Chelsea however won the FA WSL Spring Series, an interim edition of the FA WSL. Hayes led the side to first place, finishing on the same points as Manchester City but beating them on goal difference.

2017–18 season

Aided with the addition of new players including Ramona Bachmann, Maren Mjelde, Erin Cuthbert and Crystal Dunn, Emma Hayes guided her side to finish top, in a reorganised FA WSL1, on goal difference.

The team also played the FA Cup competitions and reached the semi-final but were knocked out by Birmingham City in a penalty shoot-out.

2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons

Hayes sought to rebuild the team at the conclusion of the 2017–18 season around new recruits Sam Kerr, Pernille Harder, Melanie Leupolz, Magda Eriksson, and Ann Katrin Berger, having moved on some key first-team players. The 2019–20 and 2020–21 season saw her team win back-to-back WSL titles in what were record breaking years, following a trophy-less 2018–19 campaign. Given Chelsea's dominance in the 2020–21 season in both Europe and England, some observers hailed them as one of the best teams ever. Hayes became the first woman manager to reach the Champions League final in 12 years. On 16 May, her Chelsea team, also playing their first-ever Champions League final, lost 4–0 to Barcelona Femeni.

Hayes won the 2020–21 FA WSL Manager of the Season award. Two months later, she signed a new long-term contract with Chelsea. In the same year, Hayes was inducted into the FA WSL Hall of Fame. Based on the 2020–21 season, on 17 January 2022, she was adjudged The Best FIFA Football Coach, beating off competition from Lluís Cortés and Sarina Wiegman.

2023–24 season

On 4 November 2023, Chelsea officially announced Hayes would depart after the ongoing season to “pursue a new opportunity outside of the WSL and club football.” Reports in the United States indicated that Hayes was in advanced talks to become the new manager of the United States women's national team. On 14 November 2023, Hayes was named Head Coach of the United States women's national team starting at the conclusion of the WSL season. On 21 January 2024, Hayes became the first woman to win the Football Writers Association Tribute Award in its 42 year history.

Chelsea lost to Arsenal 1–0 after extra time at the FA Women's League Cup final. After the match, Hayes was seen to have shoved Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall as they shook hands. Hayes claimed it was due to Eidevall's "unacceptable male aggression" on the touchline after an altercation with Erin Cuthbert during the match. Chelsea went on to crash out of the Women's FA Cup and UEFA Women's Champions League in the semi-final stages but ultimately won a fifth WSL title in a row to send Hayes out on a high.

United States

In November 2023, Hayes was named head coach of the United States women's national team (USWNT) starting at the conclusion of the WSL season. She began her tenure in May 2024 with only two months to prepare for the Olympics. On 1 June, in the team's debut under Hayes and the first of four friendlies before the Olympics, the United States won 4–0 against South Korea. Despite the short time she had with the team, she took them through an undefeated Olympics run, winning the gold medal game 1–0 against Brazil on 10 August. The team went 6–0 and scored its opponents 12–2 at the tournament. On 28 October, she was awarded the inaugural Women's Johan Cruyff Trophy as the best coach in the women's game.

Before the next major tournament cycle, Hayes introduced the "WNT Way", a plan to develop the women's game in the United States through a unique "female lens". Hayes saw her first loss with the USWNT on 26 February 2025, dropping 2–1 to Japan at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. She has broadened the USWNT player pool during her tenure, giving 17 players their USWNT debuts in her first 20 games, the most by a new manager since the early days of the program.

Personal life

In 2018, Hayes was pregnant with twins, but lost one of them 28 weeks in. She gave birth to the surviving twin on 17 May 2018.

Hayes credits Vic Akers, former Arsenal W.F.C. manager under whom she was part of the backroom staff when they won an unprecedented quadruple in the 2006–07 season, for being a "massive" influence on her career. Speaking of her experience coaching in the United States she said though she was born in England, she was "definitely made in America." In 2023, Hayes co-wrote a book, Kill The Unicorn, which discusses high-performance management and argues that the perception of a single great leader is a myth.

Chelsea forward Fran Kirby, who suffered from severe depression after the loss of her mother early in her life and from a career-threatening illness in her late 20s, is particularly close to Hayes. Speaking of Hayes's positive influence in her life she said, "Emma's been incredible. She's been my rock; the person who made sure I was protected from everything." Former Chelsea and England player, Karen Carney, also praised Hayes for being there when she felt the most vulnerable and isolated.

Hayes was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2016 Birthday Honours, and was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours, both for services to association football.

She is a Tottenham Hotspur fan.

Managerial statistics

All competitive league, cup and international games are counted.

Honours

Chelsea Women

• FA Women's Super League: 2015, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 (7)
• FA WSL Spring Series: 2017
• Women's FA Cup: 2014–15, 2017–18, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23 (5)
• FA Women's League Cup: 2019–20, 2020–21(2)
• Women's FA Community Shield: 2020
• UEFA Women’s Champions League runner up: 2020–21

United States

• Summer Olympic Games gold medal: 2024

Individual

• FA WSL Manager of the Season: 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
• LMA WSL Manager of the Season: 2017–18, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23
• FA WSL Manager of the Month: October 2019, January 2020, February 2020, January 2021, March 2022, November 2022, January 2024
• Women's Super League Hall of Fame: 2021
• The Best FIFA Football Coach: 2021
• FWA Tribute Award: 2024
• Women's Johan Cruyff Trophy: 2024
• IFFHS World's Best Woman National Coach: 2024
• PFA Merit Award: 2025

Orders

• Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE): 2022
• Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE): 2016

References

References

1. (31 December 2021). "New Year Honours List 2022".
2. "Emma Hayes {{!}} Profile". [[Chelsea F.C.]].
3. Barnett, Steve. (27 May 2021). "Top boss: Hayes scoops third trophy to round off campaign". Islington Tribune.
4. Lewis, Michael. (November 2001). "Hayes Named Lady Riders Coach".
5. Biglin, Mike. (5 August 2002). "Gades to the four". Milford Daily News.
6. (22 January 2003). "Iona names men's and women's soccer coaches". [[Iona Gaels]].
7. (24 May 2010). "Red Stars relieve Hayes of duties". [[ESPN]].
8. "Emma Hayes released from coaching duties; Red Stars defeat FC Gold Pride 1–0". Red Stars Confidential.
9. Wrack, Suzanne. (14 May 2021). "'She has a skill you can't buy': the making of Chelsea's Emma Hayes". The Guardian.
10. "Hayes appointed as new Ladies manager".
11. Clarke, Daniel. (18 August 2012). "Doncaster Rovers Belles 0 Chelsea 1". [[Chelsea F.C.]].
12. Garrity, Paul. (6 August 2012). "Liverpool Ladies appoint Matt Beard as new manager". [[BBC Sport]].
13. "New goalkeeper added to Ladies squad {{!}} Official Site {{!}} Chelsea Football Club".
14. "Bright signs for Chelsea Ladies". BBC Sport.
15. "Chelsea Ladies sign striker Banusic". BBC Sport.
16. (20 December 2014). "Ladies Announce New Arrival".
17. "Ladies sign new defender {{!}} Official Site {{!}} Chelsea Football Club".
18. "Chelsea Ladies sign Fran Kirby for British record fee". [[Sky Sports]].
19. "Chelsea see off County to win SSE Women's FA Cup Final".
20. "League Tables".
21. (11 November 2015). "Champions League: Chelsea Ladies 1–2 Wolfsburg Ladies". BBC Sport.
22. "Arsenal Ladies 1–0 Chelsea Ladies". BBC Sport.
23. "Chelsea claim WSL 1 Spring Series title". BBC Sport.
24. "Birmingham City Ladies 1–1 Chelsea Ladies (4–2 after penalties)". BBC Sport.
25. (7 May 2022). "Emma Hayes says she was 'born to win on behalf of Chelsea' ahead of final-day WSL title showdown". Sky Sports.
26. Wrack, Suzanne. (10 May 2021). "How Emma Hayes turned Chelsea from also-rans to all-conquerors". The Guardian.
27. Marsh, Charlotte. (9 May 2021). "Chelsea Women win 2020/21 Women's Super League title with Man City Women second, Bristol City Women relegated". Sky Sports.
28. (3 May 2021). ""My dreams came true today" – Hayes delighted with stunning Chelsea victory".
29. (10 May 2021). "Aluko: 'Relentless' Chelsea the best team in the world". Sky Sports.
30. Burhan, Asif. (1 May 2021). "Emma Hayes Attempts To Become First Female Coach In 12 Years To Reach Champions League Final". SportsMoney.
31. (17 May 2021). "Barcelona beats Chelsea 4–0 to win Women's Champions League final for first time". The Hindu.
32. (24 June 2022). "Emma Hayes receives OBE at Buckingham Palace". Chelsea FC.
33. Pasztor, David. (25 May 2021). "Emma Hayes, Fran Kirby win 2020–21 WSL Manager, Player of the Season awards". [[SB Nation]].
34. (2 July 2021). "Emma Hayes: Chelsea manager extends contract at Women's Super League champions". BBC Sport.
35. "The Best FIFA Football Awards 2021".
36. (March 2024). "Emma Hayes: Chelsea Women boss says winning Best FIFA Women's Coach award evoked childhood memories". Sky Sports }}{{Dead link.
37. Andrew, Neil. (18 January 2022). "Breaking: Chelsea's Emma Hayes Crowned The Best FIFA Women's Coach 2021".
38. "Emma Hayes to depart Chelsea".
39. Bushnell, Henry. (4 November 2023). "USWNT reportedly nears big-time coaching hire: Chelsea's Emma Hayes".
40. Carlisle, Jeff. (4 November 2023). "Hayes to depart Chelsea, in talks to coach USWNT – sources".
41. (14 November 2023). "Hayes named new head coach of USWNT".
42. Keogh, Emily. (31 March 2024). "Hayes slams 'male aggression' of Arsenal boss".
43. Emons, Michael. (14 April 2024). "Man Utd hold on to beat Chelsea and reach Wembley". [[BBC Sport]].
44. Wrack, Suzanne. (27 Apr 2024). "Heartbreak for 10-player Chelsea as Rolfö's penalty sends Barça into final". [[The Guardian]].
45. Kassouf, Jeff. (2024-05-28). "How will Emma Hayes navigate switch from club game to USWNT?". [[ESPN]].
46. Graham, Pat. (2024-06-01). "Coach Emma Hayes makes successful debut with US women's national team in 4-0 win over South Korea". [[Associated Press]].
47. Svrluga, Barry. (2024-08-10). "A reinvigorating Olympics usher in a new era of U.S. women's soccer". [[The Washington Post]].
48. (2024-10-28). "Ballon d'Or 2024: Carlo Ancelotti and Emma Hayes win Coach of the Year awards".
49. Kassouf, Jeff. (2025-02-07). "USWNT coach Emma Hayes wants to change women's soccer. Here's how.".
50. Hernandez, Cesar. "Emma Hayes: USWNT future 'exciting' despite 1st loss vs. Japan". [[ESPN]].
51. OptaJack. (2025-04-09). "17 - Emma Hayes saw 17 players make their #USWNT debut in her first 20 matches in charge of the team.".
52. (17 May 2018). "Emma Hayes: Chelsea Ladies manager gives birth to boy". BBC Sport.
53. (17 May 2018). "Emma Hayes gives birth".
54. Kerai, Husmukh. (7 May 2021). "Emma Hayes: Chelsea boss says winning is in the DNA of the club after historic week for men and women's teams". Sky Sports.
55. (13 May 2021). "Emma Hayes' psychological methods keep Chelsea women flying high". [[The Hindu]].
56. Frith, Wilf. (18 July 2023). "Emma Hayes to release audiobook entitled Kill the Unicorn". SheKicks.Net.
57. Taylor, Louise. (5 September 2020). "Fran Kirby: 'The cardiologist said if I didn't slow down, I wouldn't play again'". The Guardian.
58. Garry, Tom. (13 May 2022). "Karen Carney exclusive: 'I was in a dark and scary place, the abuse traumatised me'". The Telegraph.
59. {{London Gazette. (11 June 2016)
60. {{London Gazette. (1 January 2022)
61. (2024-05-23). "Exclusive with USWNT coach Emma Hayes: 'I'm ready for the adventure of a lifetime'".
62. Litterer, David A.. (16 June 2011). "USA – United States Women's Interregional Soccer League (W-League)". [[RSSSF]].
63. (5 August 2002). "W-League, WPSL Playoff Scores". [[Soccer America]].
64. Litterer, David A.. (16 June 2011). "Women's Soccer Head Coaching Overall Records". [[Iona Gaels]].
65. Kessel, Anna. (29 November 2013). "Chelsea Ladies anticipate 'mind-blowing' reception in Japan for IWCC". [[The Guardian]].
66. "Emma Hayes Stats – Chelsea Women Manager {{!}} FootyStats".
67. Schöggl, Hans. (24 August 2022). "England (Women) 2013 – FA Women's League Cup 2013". [[RSSSF]].
68. (23 December 2014). "International Women's Club Championship – 2013". [[RSSSF]].
69. Schöggl, Hans. (24 August 2022). "England (Women) 2017 – Women Super League". [[RSSSF]].
70. "Japan Claims Title in 2025 SheBelieves Cup, Presented by Visa, After 2-1 Victory over U.S. Women's National Team".
71. "Women Women's Super League - Champions".
72. (2017-06-03). "WSL 1 Spring Series: Chelsea Ladies win title on final day". BBC Sport.
73. Georgiou, Stephan. (2024-04-11). "The most successful teams in Women's FA Cup history".
74. "Summary - FA Women's League Cup - England - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway".
75. Association, The Football. "Chelsea 2-0 Manchester City".
76. (2021-05-15). "Women's Champions League final: Chelsea 0-4 Barcelona". BBC Sport.
77. Jurejko, Jonathan. (10 August 2024). "Brazil 0-1 United States: Emma Hayes leads USA to Olympic gold".
78. (4 December 2015). "2015 FA Women's Football Awards".
79. (1 June 2018). "FA Women's Football Awards".
80. (16 July 2020). "Chelsea duo Emma Hayes and Beth England win Women's Super League awards". Press Association.
81. Ouzia, Malik. (24 May 2021). "Chelsea FC pair Fran Kirby and Emma Hayes win WSL Player and Manager of the Season awards".
82. (March 2024). "Emma Hayes: Chelsea Women's boss named FA WSL Manager of the Season after third consecutive title". Sky Sports }}{{Dead link.
83. "Emma Hayes wins WSL Manager of the Season".
84. "Guardiola named manager of the year". BBC Sport.
85. "Jürgen Klopp wins The Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy for the LMA Manager of the Year".
86. (27 July 2020). "Jürgen Klopp wins The Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy for the LMA Manager of the Year".
87. (25 May 2022). "Jürgen Klopp wins The Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy for The LMA Manager of the Year".
88. (30 May 2023). "Pep Guardiola wins The Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy for the LMA Manager of the Year".
89. (7 March 2020). "February Manager of the Month". Barclays football.
90. (1 February 2020). "January Manager of the Month". Barclays football.
91. (17 February 2021). "Hayes and Kirby win manager and player of the month awards". Chelsea Football Club.
92. "Emma Hayes wins Barclays WSL manager of the month for March".
93. Spencer, Jamie. (2022-12-08). "Emma Hayes & Denise Reddy share Barclays WSL Manager of the Month".
94. (February 8, 2024). "Emma Hayes named WSL Manager of the Month for January".
95. (3 November 2021). "WSL: Chelsea head coach Emma Hayes becomes fourth inductee into Hall of Fame". Sky Sports.
96. Andrew, Neil. (18 January 2022). "Breaking: Chelsea's Emma Hayes Crowned The Best FIFA Women's Coach 2021".
97. (21 January 2024). "Emma Hayes: Chelsea manager becomes first woman to win Football Writers' Tribute award". BBC Sport.
98. (23 December 2024). "IFFHS AWARDS 2024 - EMMA HAYES, WOMEN'S WORLD BEST NATIONAL COACH". IFFHS.
99. (19 August 2025). "PFA Merit Award".
100. (24 June 2022). "Emma Hayes receives OBE at Buckingham Palace".
101. Barry, Coral. (11 June 2016). "Chelsea Ladies manager Emma Hayes awarded MBE". Sky Sports.