One of soccer’s worst kept secrets is finally out, with the official announcement of Emma Hayes as the new coach of the US Women’s National Soccer Team, on Tuesday, 13 November 2023.
Hayes will join four-time Women’s World Cup champions USA once this season with Chelsea concludes, bringing to and end a 11-years tenure with the London club, since she signed on back in 2012.
Rumours swirled after Hayes announced she would be leaving the Blues earlier this month, and once that news was out, she was heavily linked with a move to the USWNT.
Hayes takes over From Twila Kilgore, who was in role for an interim period following the exit of Vlatko Andonovski.
The USWNT had their worst finish since they first participated in a World Cup this year. They exited in the round of 16 after their loss to Sweden. Andonovski then resigned two weeks later.
Hayes will leave with quite the CV. Since 2015, Chelsea has won the Women’s Super League six times, and she was instrumental in leading Chelsea Women to a trophy treble in 2021, where they secured the Women’s FA Cup, WSL and the League Cup.
They narrowly missed out on the quadruple that season when they lost 4-0 to Barcelona Women in the Champions League final.
“This is a huge honour to be given the opportunity to coach the most incredible team in world football history,” said Hayes on ussoccer.com.
“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 US Soccer Federation.”
Incoming USWNT Head Coach, Emma Hayes
US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone told ussoccer.com that Hayes is just the coach they were looking for
“Emma is a fantastic leader and world class coach who sets high standards for herself and for everyone around her.”
“She has tremendous energy and an insatiable will to win. Her experience in the USA, her understanding of our soccer landscape and her appreciation of what it means to coach this team makes her a natural fit for this role and we could not be more pleased to have her leading our Women’s National Team forward.”
For now though Hayes will be fully focused on helping her Chelsea Women’s team add another WSL title to their trophy cabinet. The Blues currently top the log standings.
With the competition now at it’s half way mark, Chelsea will be keen to make sure they stay top of the log.
Just five points separate the top four teams, so a win for the London side against Liverpool will be of the utmost importance as a Manchester Derby will also be taking place.
Manchester United take on their cross town rivals Manchester City on Sunday and win for the Red Devils could see them close the gap at the top.
Arsenal, who are second on the log, are also in action, and a win against Brighton and Hove Albion could see them leap frog Chelsea, should Hayes’ side lose.
Chelsea’s match against the Reds take place at 3:30pm on Saturday, 18 November 2023.
Photo caption: One of soccer’s worst kept secrets is finally out. Emma Hayes was officially announced as the new coach of the US Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) on Tuesday, 13 November 2023. Photo: Emma Hayes on Instagram
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
