As Emma Hayes savors her return to London’s Camden district ahead of the US Women’s National Team’s friendly against England at Wembley, the former Chelsea manager can’t help but reflect on the journey that’s brought her to this point. With a grin, she declares, “I’ve got my mojo back.”
Hayes, who spent 12 successful years at the helm of Chelsea Women, made the bold decision to take charge of the USWNT a year ago. Now, six months into her tenure, she has already guided the Olympic champions to victory, lifting the trophy just 72 days after her first training session. But for Hayes, this is just the beginning of a much larger mission.
A Builder at Heart
Emma Hayes is no stranger to building something from the ground up. From her decade-long coaching stint in the US to her transformative work at Chelsea, she thrives on putting the right infrastructure in place to create a lasting impact.
“What I’ve realised is that I’m a builder and when I think back to building anything, from my 10 years in the US previously to building Chelsea, I really enjoy putting an infrastructure together so that when I leave it still stays solid.”
– Emma Hayes
Transforming US Women’s Soccer
Hayes sees immense potential in the US, with its thriving grassroots opportunities and college system producing a wealth of talent. However, she recognizes the need for a unified approach to harness this potential effectively.
Among her ambitious plans is the development of a comprehensive 2027-28 national team strategy, a youth team strategy, and the introduction of an under-23s team. Hayes also aims to implement a youth development programme with the help of a generous $30m donation from Washington Spirit’s owner, Michele Kang.
“I hope to develop, within the federation, a framework so that everything, from commercial, to marketing, to comms, to performance, to technical, to analysis, is seen through a female lens.”
– Emma Hayes
Keeping Her Feet on the Ground
Despite her lofty ambitions, Hayes remains grounded, drawing strength from her humble beginnings in London’s Camden. She credits the multicultural, diverse, and eclectic nature of her hometown for shaping her into the person she is today.
“I think Camden’s the greatest place on earth. Not just for the multicultural, diverse, eclectic place that it is, but for the opportunities it gave me. It’s not like I just went and won an Olympic gold medal. No, I worked for Camden Sports Development, I worked for Camden Playcentres, for our kids in the community. I care about people and community. Without question that shaped me.”
– Emma Hayes
Eyes on the Prize
While Saturday’s friendly against England at Wembley holds great significance for Hayes, her ultimate goal remains clear: qualifying for and winning the World Cup. With her wealth of experience, strategic vision, and unwavering determination, Emma Hayes is poised to leave an indelible mark on US women’s soccer, building a legacy that will endure long after her tenure comes to an end.
As she embarks on this transformative journey, one thing is certain: Emma Hayes has found her mojo, and US women’s soccer is set to reap the benefits of her passion, expertise, and commitment to the beautiful game.
