Emma Hayes had her son's approval before accepting the job in the US. Photo: Paul Cooper .uk/fb8414a6-71b6-4efb-9847-070b844df9f7.html?direct=true&id=fb8414a6-71b6-4efb-9847-070b844df9f7″ class=»tmg-particle audio-player wrp-fb8414a6-71b6-4efb- 9847-0 70b844df9f7″ title=»Interview with Emma Hayes: My five-year-old son gave the green light to move to the USA» data-business-type=»editorial» loading=»eager» Scrolling=»no» Frameborder=»0″ allow=» web-share» style=»width: 100%; min-width: 100%; border: none; position: static; display: block; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; height: 32px;»>
It was 8.30pm in north London and 5.5-year-old Harry had just read a bedtime story. As Emma Hayes put her son to bed, she asked him a fateful question.< /p>
“I asked him, ‘Does Mom have a chance to go coach Team USA, or can we stay here?’ and his reaction really helped me,” Hayes says. «I didn't know what he was going to say, but he smiled, hugged me, kissed me and said, 'Let's go to the USA, mommy, I'm very excited, I want to go to the USA.' !”, and I almost couldn’t believe it. That was it, that was the support I needed.”
Hayes with son Harry Photo: Getty Images/Visionhaus
Family was always a key factor in Hayes' mind when he decided to become the new head coach of the U.S. women's national team. Not only because the Chelsea manager wants to spend fewer hours commuting along the M25 to train and more time with her son, but also because of the timing: negotiations with the US began at a time when she was coming to terms with the death of her father Sid. , 82 years old.
“Honestly, I was sad and couldn’t think of anything else. I didn’t have any feelings at that moment,” Hayes says of the moment when the US role became possible. “So, I just felt like it was hard to make a life-changing decision at a time when it didn't feel right, so making that decision with almost a compromise to start at the end of this season, I think it was the only way I could do it .
“I really can't say enough good things about American Football and how they supported this decision and made me feel welcome. They made me feel so valued that they supported it. Once they agreed to everything that really mattered to me, it was impossible to refuse.”
Experienced winner. 🏆
One of the most distinguished managerial careers in club football has been on the #USWNT touchline. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/OYghp5vc0n
— US Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 14, 2023
It was Sid who convinced Hayes to move to Long Island in 2002 for her first head coaching job, and 10 years later father and daughter sat together at Wembley watching the Olympic final between the United States and Japan. The 47-year-old says she «didn't think for a minute» that night that three Olympic cycles later she would be ready to lead the four-time gold medalists at the Paris Games.
“It's without a doubt the main reason I took the job: to go to the Olympics, the World Cup and lead the most established women's football nation,” adds Hayes, who says the prospect excites her. “When the time comes, I will give him absolutely everything I have. I know what the Olympic Games mean to America, and I've known it since I lived there.»
After the Olympics this summer, Hayes and Harry will be «building a life» somewhere near US Soccer's new headquarters and national training center in Fayette County, Georgia, which is about a half-hour south of Atlanta and slated to open in 2026 year. The new building is another highlight for Hayes, who was interviewed at England's own national football centre, St George's Park, where she is helping organize McDonald's Fun Football coaching development day. Hayes is enthusiastic about the scheme, not least because of her determination to ensure that as many women as possible enter into coaching careers.
“When it comes to women's coaches, the reality is that it is prohibitively expensive. Obtaining a Pro license costs 10 thousand. We need to really think about 'how are we going to do this differently?'» says Hayes, who hopes the new organization [NewCo], which will run England's top two women's leagues from next season, will require clubs to employ more women . .
“Maybe during the international breaks we should offer coaching education to young players so they get their licenses earlier. And as far as our league and NewCo are concerned, perhaps there should be stricter minimum requirements for teams to hire more women, whether as an assistant, head coach or staff, so that we can ensure women are getting opportunities. «.
Hayes is one of four women to manage the 12 Women's Super League teams, while no woman has ever been appointed permanent manager of a men's professional team in England. UEFA data for 2022 shows that of the 10,527 active professional license holders, only 141 are women — 1.33 percent.
“We cannot leave this to chance. There needs to be positive investment in these areas,” says Hayes. “And it flows down. We need to offer more PE in girls' school…more coaching opportunities in the community, on an equal basis, so it's not just one part of the community, it's everyone. But when it comes to our league, our coaching education needs to be more proactive or these numbers will continue to decline.
“We have to start asking the question: why are there [so few women] there? Is it cost, is it opportunity? Because if we don't address this, as the game grows, more people from the men's game will come to us and we will lose the value and skill set of women in the game, and that worries me. For this to be so, you must see it, and we must invest in it.”
More often than not, in the modern era, the coach that aspiring female managers were able to see «be it» was Hayes. Her increasing profile has made her an unofficial spokesperson for women coaches, and she insists she never tires of fielding questions from the media about the development of women's sport. “It was my duty. It's not about me, it's about the game, and I wanted to give the game the best possible opportunity, and I want to provide as much support as possible, in any capacity, from ordinary people to professionals, and I definitely gave it. everything I can do for this.”
The sport's grassroots level is the focus of today's event at St George's Park, where Hayes, former England striker Jermain Defoe and former England cerebral palsy captain Jack Rutter are helping to develop the skills of hundreds of community coaches. They are receiving additional training to make free football more accessible to all children aged 5 to 11, including those who are visually impaired or blind.
«We can learn a lot from blind football,» says Hayes . . “The teamwork is incredible. Your communication should be concise and clear, and I learned a lot about these listening skills and trust. For me, this is also a day of coaching training. There are things that I will take back to Chelsea.
“I had a great day, I was back in grassroots football. This is a reminder of the importance of providing free football throughout the country and a reminder of the importance of coaching training. It's not just about getting people into the sport, it's about keeping them in the sport. The passion of these coaches to give children space is at the heart of our national game, we should all remember that.”
Outside, Hayes joins blindfolded trainers to learn techniques for training people with visual impairments, and later she attends a classroom session hosted by anti-discrimination organization Kick It Out. Hayes is asked to share her experiences of dealing with discrimination, and in front of an audience of coaches, she recalls difficult moments such as supporting England striker Lauren James when she was racially abused last year, and praises the efforts of her former Chelsea striker Eniola Aluko publicly declared racism.
Hayes experienced first-hand what it's like to be a visually impaired or blind player. Photo: Mark Robinson
Her words not only help to understand her determination to fight discrimination, but also highlight the strong bond Hayes has with her players. This relationship meant that it would never be easy for her to tell her Chelsea team that she was leaving.
“It was a quiet locker room. It was very reflective,” says Hayes, telling his players after their 6-0 win over Aston Villa last November. “It was a shock. But for me it was not only them. The players were happy for me because they knew how much Harry meant and what I had sacrificed. And at the same time it was sad, because changes were approaching and the acquaintance was coming to an end.
“But this feeling passed. The team has adapted and everyone is looking forward to their future with a new coach. It is important to constantly talk about this. They've had one voice for 11 years, not all of them, but it's time for them too to have a different type of leader and a different type of training, and vice versa.»
< img src="/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/95254a7caa44295d7d30d0d4bfc8364b.jpg" /> Chelsea have won all their matches since Christmas Photo: Getty Images/Harriet Lander
Chelsea have only lost once since the news out of 17 matches in all competitions and they have won all their matches since Christmas. “The players deserve all the credit because they continue to perform at such a high level despite the changes. This is a testament to their character and abilities. They know me and I know them and we both know that we will fight to the end no matter where I am next year. I will give it my all and am extremely optimistic about the rest of the season.”
Emma Hayes supported McDonald's Fun Football's new coaching qualification in partnership with Kick it Out, the UK's Blind Sports Organization , and England Futsal to make Fun Football the most inclusive grassroots program in the UK. Register for your local session here — mcdonalds.co.uk/football
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