Emma Hayes is enjoying her new role as head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team.
The 47-year-old left Chelsea at the end of the season, having won her fifth Women’s Super League title with the Blues, beating Manchester City on the final day.
She left Stateside just days after her victory celebrations and is getting straight to business ahead of the 2024 Olympics.
The USWNT has been feared around the world for its very raison d’etre, but in 2023 they had their worst performance in World Cup history, losing to Sweden in the last 16.
Afterwards, they fell from No. 1 to No. 4 in the world rankings. This is another low for the national team.
But now with Hayes at the helm, there is a new sense of faith and desire across the board.
before going to her first #USWNT Camp Colorado, Emma Hayes arrives in NYC for a taste of The Big Apple 🏙️ pic.twitter.com/2wLxnmadhL
— United States Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) May 30, 2024
sitting in new york BBCShe said: “I needed this more than I thought.
“We all know that this is a country that expects to win.
“It’s important to focus on the processes and steps that need to be taken to ensure that everyone here can perform at the level needed to do it. It will take some time.
“My dream is to go to the Olympics.
“I’m a bit disappointed to have to lead the U.S. women’s national team at the Paris Olympics.
“You spend too much time thinking that success is just a medal. To me, it’s more than that.
“Is this still the biggest job in women’s soccer?”
Emma Hayes spoke exclusively with: @BBCSport and @Jokery After she moved from Chelsea to the US national team.#BBCFootball #WSL pic.twitter.com/1FyhFm86FN
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 30, 2024
“It’s a privilege to be in the position I’m in and to lead another great football team again.
“It’s a gold medal for me, but it would definitely be an incredible summer if I medaled at this tournament.”
Hayes has already selected her first team as coach and the players will be keen to see her winning spirit transferred to them ahead of the Paris Olympics.
The veteran manager won 14 trophies in 12 years at Chelsea but said her new job was the biggest gig in the world for women’s football.
She added: “I don’t care what anyone says. It really is.
“For me it’s a bit like Brazil in the men’s game. What this team has historically represented, what they have stood for, what they have represented as women in the women’s game, not just in this country but around the world.
Emma Hayes takes charge of her first training session as US head coach following her final season at Chelsea, where she won her fifth consecutive WSL title 🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/D3VL3KEbLa
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) May 29, 2024
“It suits me to be with them and vice versa. I think we’ll get together at the right time.
“I’m focused on making things again. It’s about building trust and building relationships. That’s my biggest priority.
Hayes said he has already visited 40 of the 50 states in the United States and is so in love with the country he will now reside in.
But her new job won’t be easy, and patience may be needed to restore the USWNT’s dominance on the international stage.
