U.S. Soccer’s lengthy search to find a new head of the U.S. women’s national team is reportedly coming to its conclusion.
Emma Hayes is in advanced talks to become the next USWNT head coach, Backheeled, The Equalizer and ESPN all reported Saturday. Hayes, who recently was manager of Women’s Super League side Chelsea, will depart her current role at the end of the WSL season, the club announced Saturday after the Blues’ 6-0 win over Aston Villa.
The USWNT had been under guidance of interim head coach Twila Kilgore following Vlatko Andonovski’s departure in August.
Hayes joined Chelsea in 2012 and during her tenure led the club to six FA WSL titles, five Women’s FA Cups, two FA Women’s League Cups, one FA Women’s Spring Series trophy and one FA Women’s Community Shield.
She has been named FA WSL Manager of the Season on six occasions and LMA WSL Manager of the Season five times. Hayes was inducted into the WSL Hall of Fame in 2021.
“Emma has been one of the biggest drivers of change in women’s football,” Chelsea Co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said. “Her achievements at Chelsea are unrivalled and will live in the club’s history forever.
“Given everything she has contributed to Chelsea in over a decade with the club, and the legacy she leaves behind, we would never stand in her way when she felt it was the right time to pursue a new challenge.”
The 47-year-old Hayes previously managed in the United States with the Long Island Lady Riders and at Iona College. After a two-year stint as an assistant coach at Arsenal, Hayes returned to the U.S. in 2008, serving as head coach of the NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars until 2010.
Chelsea is currently top of the WSL standings with 13 points earned through five matches. The Blues begin their UEFA Women’s Champions League quest on Nov. 15 against Real Madrid.
The USWNT closes its 2023 schedule with a pair of home friendlies against China PR on Dec. 2 and 5.
It’s not ideal, but so far every indication is that she will be with the USWNT alongside Chelsea through the end of her Chelsea contract, so likely no more interim coach once this becomes official.
Not ideal if she really doesn’t end up starting until May. She’s already got a coaching relationship with Micario and Fishel. I think Crystal Dunne played for her at Chelsea too. She might be the second best choice after Sarina Weigman, who probably wasn’t really available. I like hire, I hope she arrives before May though.
“not ideal?” they play one of their two world events per cycle in july 24. the UCL final, cup final, and last regular season game are in may 24. this is a JOKE. people are making assumptions based on her agreeing to leave CFC end of the season. i am not even going to assume she is set to coach the olympics until they announce it.
what is our deal with unavailable hires? does USSF have a canadian girlfriend?
this essentially means we will have a caretaker through next summer. this team needs a massive personnel and tactical overhaul. do you think that happens this way? it’s throwing away a year.
only thing i will give them credit for is this is a world class hire compared to the junk the men got.
I’ve told you all along the Olympics are not the priority. I read that she may be released for international breaks just as players are. We’ll see when USSF makes their announcement what the details. Crocker has said all along his goal is get the right person, that he wasn’t going rush the process. They feel they got the right person.