Hayes Appointed USA Women’s Head Coach

Emma Hayes has been appointed as USA Women’s Head Coach from Summer 2024.

Hayes earlier this month confirmed that she would leave Chelsea Women at the end of 2023-24 season, and has now been confirmed as the new permanent manager of USA Women – taking up the role once her contract at Chelsea expires.

“This is a huge honor to be given the opportunity to coach the most incredible team in world football history,” commented Hayes who has signed a long-term contract with the national team.

Hayes previously managed Long Island Lady Riders, Iona Gaels and Chicago Red Stars at the start of this century, and is now excited to take charge of the national team, as she explained: “The feelings and connection I have for this team and for this country run deep.

“I’ve dreamed about coaching the USA for a long time so to get this opportunity is a dream come true. I know there is work to do to achieve our goals of winning consistently at the highest levels.

“To get there, it will require dedication, devotion and collaboration from the players, staff and everyone at the U.S. Soccer Federation.”

Hayes will take up her role in June 2024 ready to lead the team into next summer’s Olympics in Paris, France, with current interim Head Coach – Twila Kilgore remaining as a member of her coaching staff.

US. Soccer President, Cindy Parlow Cone described Hayes as “a fantastic leader and world class coach” with “high standards” of herself and everyone within the team.

Parlow Cone also praised Hayes for her passion and desire to achieve success, as she said: “She has tremendous energy and an insatiable will to win.

“Her experience in the USA, her understanding of our soccer landscape and her appreciation of what it means to coach this team makes her a natural fit for this role and we could not be more pleased to have her leading our Women’s National Team forward.”

Sporting Director, Matt Crocker described Kilgore’s continuation as interim Head Coach until next summer as “a unique situation,” but iterated that she “will be crucial” to preparing the squad for Hayes arrival and the Olympics.

Crocker added that Hayes was deemed “the best person and coach” available to lead USA into a new era of women’s football, following their disappointing Women’s World Cup title defence which saw them narrowly qualify from their group but lost to Sweden in Round of 16.

Echoeing Parlow Cone’s sentiments about Hayes’ qualities, Crocker continued: “Her passion for the game, her coaching acumen, her ability to galvanize players and staff, her dedication to continue to evolve as a coach and her qualities as a person are all incredibly impressive.

“She has a great appreciation for the legacy of this program and embraces the big challenges ahead.”