Emma Hayes is a British professional football manager. She is famous for being the manager of the FA WSL club Chelsea Women. With a notable stint as the head coach and director of football operations for the Chicago Red Stars in the Women's Professional Soccer League from 2008 to 2010, Hayes has showcased her expertise on an international stage. On 14 November 2023, she was named Head Coach of the United States women's national team starting at the conclusion of the WSL season. In 2023, she demonstrated her multifaceted talents by co-writing a book titled "Kill The Unicorn," released in audio format with narration provided by Hayes herself.
Early Life
Emma Hayes was born on 18th October 1976 with the birth name of Emma Carol Hayes. She hails from Camden, London, the UK. She is British by nationality and her ethnicity is British-White. About her family, she is the daughter of her father, Sid, and her mother, Miriam Hayes. His dad died in late September 2023 after a long battle with lung cancer. She has two siblings with whom she grew up. She celebrated her 47th birthday in 2023.
Hayes completed her education at Parliament Hill School before pursuing higher studies at Liverpool Hope University, where she graduated in 1999. Although Emma initially joined Arsenal's academy, her playing career came to an abrupt halt at the age of 17 due to an ankle injury sustained during a ski trip. With football no longer an option, Hayes redirected her academic focus, to studying European studies, Spanish, and sociology at Liverpool Hope College. Subsequently, she pursued a master's degree in intelligence and international affairs.
Career
- Emma Hayes began her coaching career as the manager of the Long Island Lady Riders in 2002, making history as the youngest coach in the league and earning recognition as the USL W-League coach of the season.
- Following this, she became the head women's soccer coach at Iona College in 2003 and later served as the first-team assistant coach and academy director for Arsenal Ladies from 2006 to 2008.
- Hayes then took on the role of manager for the Chicago Red Stars in 2008, followed by a stint as a technical director for the Western New York Flash.
- After contributing to the Flash's victory in the 2011 Women's Professional Soccer championship, she worked as a consultant for Washington Freedom before returning to London to work in the family business.
- In 2012, Chelsea appointed Hayes as manager, and during the 2015 season, she orchestrated a significant squad overhaul.
- Despite narrowly missing the 2014 FA WSL 1 title, she guided Chelsea to a historic league and cup double, securing the FA Cup and WSL 1 title. She also led the team to the last 16 of the Women's Champions League.
- In recognition of her contributions to association football, Hayes was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours.
- In the 2016–17 season, Hayes led Chelsea to a second-place finish in The FA WSL 1, trailing five points behind champions Manchester City.
- Despite losing the FA Cup Final to Arsenal, Chelsea claimed victory in the FA WSL Spring Series, securing the top spot on goal difference.
- Hayes received recognition for her contributions, being appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2016 Birthday Honours.
- The following season, with the addition of new players like Ramona Bachmann, Maren Mjelde, Erin Cuthbert, and Crystal Dunn, Hayes guided Chelsea to the top of the reorganized FA WSL 1, clinching the title on goal difference.
- In the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons, Hayes orchestrated a successful rebuilding phase, securing back-to-back WSL titles with key recruits like Sam Kerr, Pernille Harder, Melanie Leupolz, Magda Eriksson, and Ann Katrin Berger.
- The 2020–21 season saw Chelsea dominate, winning the FA Cup and the League domestic double, while Hayes earned the FA WSL Manager of the Season award for a third consecutive year.
- Recognized as The Best FIFA Football Coach in both 2021 and 2022, Hayes solidified her legacy and was inducted into the FA WSL Hall of Fame.
- On 4th November 2023, Chelsea FC officially announced Hayes would depart after the ongoing season to “pursue a new opportunity outside of the WSL and club football”.
- Reports in the United States indicated that Hayes was in advanced talks to become the new manager of the United States women's national team.
- On 14 November 2023, she was named Head Coach of the United States women's national team starting at the conclusion of the WSL season.
Awards and Honors
Chelsea Women
- FA Women's Super League (6): 2015, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23
- FA WSL Spring Series (1): 2017
- Women's FA Cup (5): 2014–15, 2017–18, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23
- FA Women's League Cup (2): 2019–20, 2020–21
- Women's FA Community Shield (1): 2020
Individual
- The Best FIFA Football Coach: 2021
- FA WSL Manager of the Season: 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
- LMA WSL Manager of the Season: 2017–18,[62] 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23
- FA WSL Manager of the Month: October 2019, January 2020, February 2020, January 2021, March 2022, November 2022
- Women's Super League Hall of Fame: 2021
Orders
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE): 2022
- Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE): 2016
Personal Life
Emma Hayes has chosen to keep her personal life private, not publicly confirming her marital status. In 2018, she faced a personal challenge when she was pregnant with twins but unfortunately lost one of them after 2 weeks. She gave birth to her surviving twin, Harry, on 17 May 2018. Despite not disclosing details about her husband, Emma appears to be leading a content and joyful life with her son.
Net Worth
Emma Hayes, the accomplished professional football manager, has a net worth of $5 million as of 2023, primarily amassed through her successful career in football management. Garnering an annual salary of approximately $2 million, her financial success reflects her prominence in the field. Emma's career earnings afford her a comfortable and stylish lifestyle.
Body Measurements
Emma Hayes possesses an ideal height of 1.75 meters or 175 centimeters, complemented by a body weight of 70 kilograms. With striking brown eyes and blonde hair, she exudes a distinctive appearance. As of the present, Emma maintains a healthy and well-balanced physique, contributing to her overall presence in the soccer world.
