The Big Interview: Emma Hayes
As Emma Hayes prepares to bow out of English football at Old Trafford on Saturday, the Chelsea boss reflects on her achievements, how she built the team from scratch and key moments through 12 years..
“I think you’re always reflecting,” says Emma Hayes, when I ask if she’s had a chance among the chaos of recent weeks and months to look back over an incredible 12 years as head coach of Chelsea.
Hayes has transitioned through an era of huge change in the women’s game, an era which has seen Chelsea go from rock bottom to the very, very top, and there may still be time for one more trophy lift on the grand stage of Old Trafford this Saturday.
It would be a fitting farewell for a coach who has done it all domestically - and done it all several times over -while an historic fifth Women’s Super League title in a row would see her off to the USA staying on top.
“In the future I will reflect on the whole journey. If I’m honest, I’m just trying to survive it! It’s a lot, we’re playing every three days, trying to compete for trophy after trophy and to do that for 12 years…let me tell you, I’ll be surprised if another manager does it for 12 years.
“As much as I can say it’s a labour of love, it takes absolutely everything from you, so I think my head is very just survive, get to the end. I’d love to win another title but I’m not pre-occupied with it. I want to enjoy the days I’ve got left with my players and I’m sure in time I will reflect on the bigger picture, but not now…”
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