Emma Hayes

Emma Hayes took charge of Chelsea in June 2012 and led them to their first Women's FA Cup victory in 2015. Under her leadership, the team clinched the Women's Super League title in 2017, completing a historic double. Notably, Emma was the sole female manager in the league at that time.

With over a decade in management, Emma’s key achievements include her early role with the Long Island Lady Riders, where she was the youngest female head coach in W-League history and received the National Coach of the Year award in 2002. She was also named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Coach of the Year in 2004.

Emma's tenure included significant roles such as Assistant First Team Coach and Academy Director at Arsenal Women, contributing to 11 major trophies over three seasons, and positions at Chicago Red Stars, Washington Freedom, and New York Flash. She has won the Women’s FA Cup five times (2015, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023) and led Chelsea to their first Women’s Champions League Final. Her successes with Chelsea also include a domestic Quadruple in 2021 and six Women's Super League titles.

Her contributions to football were recognised with an MBE in 2016 and an OBE in 2021. Emma also garnered acclaim for her punditry during Euro 2020, receiving the 2021 Broadcast Sport Awards Pundit of the Year.

In 2022, she co-managed England at Soccer Aid alongside Harry Redknapp and Vicky McClure. In November 2023, Emma announced her departure from Chelsea after a transformative 12 years, moving on to become the Head Coach of the US Women’s National Team. In January 2024, she became the first woman to receive the Football Writer’s Tribute Award for her significant impact on English football.