LONDON, ENG–Multiple reports have Chelsea women’s manager Emma Hayes leaving that post at the end of the FA Women’s Super League season and become the new manager of the US Women’s National Team. Hayes, 47, has won six league titles (including the last four) and five Women’s FA Cups with Chelsea since joining in 2012 and has coached the likes of Sam Kerr, Crystal Dunn, Fran Kirby, Pernille Harder, and Lauren James. Prior to Chelsea, Hayes coached at Chicago Red Stars in their WPS days in 2009 and 2010.
US Soccer didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment, but a Federation source told ESPN that an “emergency board” meeting was being planned, and would take place in the coming days. The hire hasn’t been finalized, a source told Yahoo Sports; Hayes’ contract still must be approved by U.S. Soccer’s board. But that could happen over the coming days.
The expectation is that if Hayes is hired, she will juggle both the USWNT and Chelsea jobs until the conclusion of the WSL season which is in May–two months before the Summer Olympics in Paris. While the plan is for Hayes to join up with the USWNT during international windows, there are potential conflicts. The Concacaf W Gold Cup will take place from February 20th thru March 10th while Chelsea have matches against Manchester City (February 18th) and Leicester City (March 3rd) during that time.
“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,” Chelsea co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said in a statement.
“There will be plenty of time to celebrate Emma’s many achievements at the club and to give her the farewell she deserves, but for now, as she always has been, Emma will be solely focused on making this season as successful as possible for Chelsea.”
Chelsea currently sit top of the FAWSL after five matches–three points ahead of Manchester City.
The USWNT has been searching for a permanent replacement to Vlatko Andonovsky after the USA’s worst performance ever at a Women’s World Cup (elimination in the Round of 16) led to his sacking. This would be Emma Hayes’s first national team job should this appointment be confirmed.