Jeff CarlisleAmerican football reporter4 minutes to read
Lawson: The Hayes-USWNT link makes a lot of sense
Sophie Lawson addresses rumors of Emma Hayes being linked to the USWNT coach’s job after she announced she will leave Chelsea at the end of the season.
The US Soccer Federation Board of Directors approved the appointment Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has become the new coach of the US women’s national team, a source familiar with the vote confirmed to ESPN on Saturday.
This will be followed by an official announcement of her appointment as Vlatko Andonovski’s replacement.
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The Philadelphia Inquirer first reported the board’s approval.
Sources also confirmed a report from The Athletic that Hayes’ contract would be a record for women’s football. Making Hayes’ salary equal to that of U.S. men’s national team director Gregg Berhalter will be discussed at a board meeting, a source confirmed to ESPN.
Hayes is widely regarded as one of the best managers in women’s football.
The USWNT has been coached on an interim basis by Twyla Kilgore since Andonovski left the position after the team recorded an early exit in the Women’s World Cup, with a Round of 16 defeat to Sweden.
Hayes will leave Chelsea at the end of the Women’s Super League (WSL) season to “pursue a new opportunity outside of the Premier League and club football”, the club said. He announced in a statement After winning 6-0 Aston Villa on saturday.
Hayes is expected to juggle his USWNT and Chelsea jobs until the end of the WSL season. While the plan is for Hayes to join the USWNT during the international windows, there are potential conflicts.
The CONCACAF Gold Cup is scheduled to be held from February 20 to March 10, 2024, during which time Chelsea will play league matches against Manchester City on February 18 and Leicester City on March 3. There are also questions about how to juggle two jobs. It will impact the USWNT’s preparations for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The London native began her managerial career in 2001 with the Long Island Lady Riders of the US-based USL W-League. She later coached with Iona College from 2003 to 2006 and then moved to the professional ranks with Arsenal as an assistant from 2006 to 2008. Her first coaching role was with the Chicago Red Stars women’s professional soccer team – the predecessor to the National Women’s Soccer League – from 2008 to 2010, which was followed by a move to Chelsea in 2012, where she has worked ever since.
In her time with the west London club, Hayes led Chelsea to six FA Women’s Football League titles, five FA Women’s Cups and two FA Women’s League Cups.
Chelsea’s sporting directors added: “Given everything she has contributed to Chelsea over more than a decade with the club, and the legacy she has left behind, we will never stand in her way when she feels it is the right time to pursue a new challenge.” Lawrence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said in a statement.
“There will be plenty of time to celebrate Emma’s many achievements at the club and give her the send-off she deserves, but for now, as ever, Emma will be solely focused on making this season as successful as possible for Chelsea.”
Chelsea scored six different players to achieve a landslide victory over Aston Villa to lead the standings with 13 points from five matches, three points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, which will face Arsenal on Sunday.
Hayes has been named FA WSL Manager of the Season six times and FA WSL Manager of the Year five times. She was named the best football coach by FIFA for the year 2021.
Information from Reuters contributed to this report
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