Who is Emma Hayes? Everything you need to know about the USWNT manager

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Emma Hayes is one of the most successful English managers of all time

United States women Olympics 2024 squad Emma Hayes of the United States waves to the crowd after a game between Mexico and USWNT at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
Emma Hayes won gold with the US at the 2024 Olympics (Image credit: Getty Images)

Emma Hayes’ final game in charge of Chelsea fittingly saw her team win the Women’s Super League – the league she had dominated for much of the previous decade.

Not only did she win the WSL title but it was the fifth consecutive season Hayes had lifted the trophy with the Blues.

She took over as USWNT boss following lifting the silverware but what else did she win at Chelsea and what has she won since leaving? Here are some things you should know about her.

Emma Hayes: Her managerial career so far

Emma Hayes' Chelsea remain the dominant force in English women's football

Emma Hayes won multiple trophies as Chelsea boss

Hayes' first managerial position was at Long Island Lady Riders from 2001 to 2003. She then took charge of Iona College from 2003 to 2005 before taking on a position as Arsenal's assistant coach from 2005-2008.

She helped the side become the only English women's club to win the Champions League when the Gunners won the tournament in 2007. That season Arsenal won the quadruple.

Emma Hayes, Manager of Chelsea, arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Women's Champions League 2023/24 semi-final second leg match between Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona at on April 27, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Emma Hayes led Chelsea to the Women's Champions League final in the 2020/21 season (Image credit: Getty Images)

Hayes’ return to the States in 2008 to coach the Chicago Red Stars.

Like every top manager, she had to endure a learning curve – Hayes was sacked from her job with the Red Stars in 2010. Two years later her career transformed when she was appointed manager of Chelsea – who at the time had never won the WSL.

Within two seasons Chelsea were title contenders, only missing out on the title by the barest of margins on the final day of the 2014 season when pipped by Liverpool.

But Hayes ensured her side would come back stronger.

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Key signings including future England stars Millie Bright and Fran Kirby, as well as Gemma Davison helped build a title winning formula – Chelsea finishing two points clear of Manchester City for Hayes’ maiden league crown in 2015.

It would kickstart an era of dominance, with the Blues winning six further league titles, five FA Cups and two League Cups over the next eight years.

After 12 years at the Blues, Hayes decided to step down and take one of the best positions in women's football - USWNT head coach.

Her first tournament in charge was the 2024 Paris Olympics. Hayes led the team to a gold medal.

Jack Lacey-Hatton
Jack Lacey-Hatton
Freelance writer

Jack has worked as a sports reporter full-time since 2021. He previously worked as the Chief Women’s Football Writer at the Mirror, covering the England Women’s national team and the Women’s Super League. Jack has reported on a number of major sporting events in recent years including the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on the ground in Australia. When not writing about the game, he can often spotted playing at a pitch somewhere in the west London area.