Emma Hayes has been appointed the new USA women’s national team head coach and will take over when she leaves Chelsea in May.
The announcement comes in the wake of Chelsea’s statement on Saturday that revealed Hayes would leave the club to pursue “a new opportunity outside the WSL [Women’s Super League] and club football.
Hayes has enjoyed a hugely successful spell in charge of Chelsea since taking over in 2012, winning the WSL six times as well as lifting five FA Cup trophies.
But she will turn her attention to international football come the end of the WSL season, looking to lead the Stars and Stripes back to glory after a hugely disappointing 2023 World Cup, crashing out in the round of 16 having reached at least the semi-finals in every other edition of the tournament, winning the previous two.
Hayes spoke of her delight at the new role, saying: “This is a huge honor to be given the opportunity to coach the most incredible team in world football history.
“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 U.S. Soccer Federation.”
She’s headed Stateside ????????
U.S. Soccer has appointed Emma Hayes as the 10th full-time head coach in #USWNT history » https://t.co/sR7qfSnWVx
Welcome, Emma! pic.twitter.com/WYn6Sg9RmX
— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 14, 2023
US Soccer president Cindy Parlow stated: “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.”
Hayes’ first chance of tournament success will come at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where she will look to lead the USA to their first gold medal since 2012. She will have four games to prepare for that competition, with two in June and two in July.
Earlier on Tuesday, Hayes pointed to the Champions League as the trophy she wanted to win the most in her final season with Chelsea, collecting the only major honour that has eluded her in her excellent tenure at the Blues.
“It would be a fairytale to win it, of course,” Hayes told reporters. “I would love nothing more than to be in a winning position with this team.”
