- Hayes to lead US women’s team
- Criticized US performance previously
- Replaces Vlatko Andonovski as coach
Emma Hayes’ relationship with international football looked drastically different this time last year. Her visage appeared on posters promoting ITV’s commentary team for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The experienced Chelsea manager, known for her acute technical analysis in men’s and women’s big championships, was taking a break from the daily grind of club football management.
Hayes ripped apart the awful performance of the back-to-back world champions, the United States, on television and in print. Youth development in the United States was criticized, with a lack of creative potential emerging as a significant issue, and the team’s cohesiveness was questioned.
After one year, Hayes must turn those criticisms into an action plan that will be tested immediately as the United States seeks its fifth Olympic gold medal, the first since the London 2012 Games. Hayes stated in early November last year that she would leave Chelsea at the end of the season. A few days later, it was announced that she would lead the US women’s national team.
The 47-year-old’s decision to leave Chelsea and take on perhaps the most critical position in women’s football, replacing the disastrous term of former Reign FC manager Vlatko Andonovski as head coach of the United States women’s national team, was daring but not surprising. The timing of her departure from Chelsea was unexpected, coming just after a 6-0 Women’s Super League victory over Aston Villa in November.
However, for those who have followed Hayes recently, her time with the club would end sooner or later. Only the Champions League eluded Hayes during her time at Chelsea, and there was a sense among fans and media that if she won a European trophy, it would likely be her last with the club. The dream ended with a 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in the 2021 final, and while Chelsea has fought bravely since then, the gap between them and the new European champions has persisted.
Hayes has also experienced significant personal tragedy and transformation over the last five years, including the loss of one of the twins she was carrying, the birth of her son Harry, an emergency hysterectomy as part of her struggle with endometriosis, and the death of her father.
These events have taken a toll. She has scarcely taken a breather, let alone mourned her losses, making international football’s less demanding day-to-day schedule an appealing prospect.
She is also well-versed in soccer culture in the United States. Early in her coaching career, she left England to find an atmosphere that cared about women’s football.
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What can we anticipate from the Hayes-led USWNT in the Paris Games? It isn’t easy to say.
She came to the United States in late May, shortly after Chelsea won their seventh league title on the final day of the WSL season, and has had little opportunity to shape the team in person. This alleviates some pressure in many ways: Hayes is a long-term hire, and while short-term success is desirable, it is unlikely to be considered critical as long as fans, and those around her see potential in the systems and individuals.
Hayes has demonstrated ruthlessness by eliminating figurehead Alex Morgan from the 18-player roster, sacrificing the 34-year-old attacker in favour of younger players who will most likely represent the team’s future.
Hayes can do it. Her impressive track record in club football lends her authority. Now, we’ll see if she can take a team known for its transitional, intense, and physical game and prepare them for the increasingly technical and tactical football being played by teams worldwide.
