(Reuters) – Long-time Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has been appointed as the head coach of the United States women’s national soccer team. She has been tasked with the responsibility of turning things around after the country’s disappointing Women’s World Cup campaign. The 47-year-old manager from London is well-known for her success in the professional coaching world, with 13 major trophies won during her 11 seasons with the Women’s Super League club Chelsea.
In a statement, Hayes expressed her excitement, saying, “This is a huge honor to be given the opportunity to coach the most incredible team in world football history. I’ve dreamed about coaching the USA for a long time so to get this opportunity is a dream come true.”
Hayes will be taking over from Vlatko Andonovski, who stepped down following the Americans’ surprising defeat by Sweden in the last 16 of the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The U.S., the record holders of four world titles, had never before finished worse than third.
One of Hayes’ first major tournaments will be the Paris Olympics next year, where the U.S. will aim for their fifth Games gold medal. They had previously won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Her departure from Chelsea was announced on Nov. 4, with the club stating that Hayes would be leaving her position at the end of the Women’s Super League season in May to pursue a new opportunity “outside the WSL and club football.”
During her time at Chelsea, Hayes has led the team to win the WSL title six times and the FA Cup on five occasions, solidifying Chelsea’s status as one of Europe’s top teams. She has also achieved an unprecedented domestic treble and won the championship twice.
Holistic health and balancing motherhood with sports are topics that Hayes has openly supported and discussed, earning her the recognition of being one of the biggest drivers of change in women’s football.
Chelsea’s co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley commented on Hayes’ departure, saying, “Emma has been one of the biggest drivers of change in women’s football. Her achievements at Chelsea are unrivalled and will live in the club’s history forever.”
After their World Cup exit, the U.S. began to rebuild with the departure of Andonovski, their general manager, and some influential players, including Megan Rapinoe. Twila Kilgore has been serving as the U.S. interim boss.
Reporting by Lori Ewing, additional reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles and Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Ken Ferris
