READING, ENGLAND – MAY 27: Emma Hayes, Manager of Chelsea, lifts the Barclays Women’s Super League … [+]
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said the “time is right” to move on from the English club at the end of the season and refused to be drawn on media reports linking her with the role of the United States women’s national team head coach.
Last week, Chelsea confirmed in a statement that Hayes would depart the London club at the end of the ongoing season “to pursue a new opportunity outside of the Women’s Super League and club football”.
Hayes joined Chelsea in 2012 and guided the team to six Women’s Super League titles, five Women’s FA Cups, and two FA Women’s League Cups.
Under Hayes, Chelsea completed a historic double on two occasions and achieved one domestic treble.
Last week, ESPN, citing sources, reported that Hayes is set to be appointed as the new head coach of the U.S. women’s national team after the U.S. Soccer Federation approved her hiring.
As the longest-serving manager of a Women’s Super League team, Hayes has been an exemplary figure in women’s football, but the 47-year-old said she now wants to spend more time with her five-year-old son.
“I’ve been in post for 12 years and dedicated my life to this place (Chelsea Football Club),” Hayes told reporters on Friday. “I drive four hours every day, six days a week, for 12 years.
“I have a five-year-old that needs more of his mummy, for sure. Family matters. That’s important.
“I’ve dedicated as much as I can to this club, I’ve loved every minute and I think it’s important, if possible, to create a succession plan – like me and [general manager] Paul [Green] do with the players.
“The time is right. I will work with the club and do everything I can to make sure there is as good a transition as possible so my successor can have as much as success as I have.”
‘Private Conversations’
ESPN said that their sources have confirmed that Hayes’ contract will be a record for women’s football and that making Hayes’ salary equal to that of U.S. men’s national team manager Gregg Berhalter was discussed at a USSF board meeting.
“I’m not going to comment on that,” Hayes said when asked about the U.S. job vacancy, adding that she is committed to Chelsea until the end of her tenure.
“I’ve got a team to focus on; I’ve got games to win,” she said.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 14: Emma Hayes, Manager of Chelsea celebrates with the Vitality Women’s FA Cup … [+]
Hayes also expressed frustration at private conversations with Chelsea being leaked to the media.
The Evening Standard reported Chelsea were prepared to quadruple Hayes’ salary in an attempt to persuade her to turn down the U.S. job and keep her at the London club, while the Daily Mail said Chelsea had not prioritized contract negotiations with Hayes and that had contributed to her decision to leave.
“I believe in private conversations,” Hayes said.
“Of course, I’m disappointed to hear things are being said in the press. I want to make sure I maintain my own professionalism in everything I do. I have a team to focus on, and games to win and I don’t think anything will come between me and the players, and me and the fans.
“I understand Chelsea. This is my club, and it will always be my club. While I’m sad on many, many levels, I have said to the fans there will be a moment where I’m sat with them in the crowd, and I look forward to that come the end of the season.”