Chelsea boss Emma Hayes says she is leaving the club “at the right time” after winning the Women’s Super League again.
Hayes will become the new United States Women’s National Team manager in the summer and will be thrown straight into action by building a team to challenge for gold at the Paris Olympics.
The 47-year-old made history by leading the Blues to their fifth consecutive WSL title, fending off Manchester City on the final day.
Gareth Taylor’s side needed to win their match and overturn Chelsea’s superior goal difference but were unable to outscore the champions, who won 6-0 against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
It was a fitting end to Hayes’ dominant era in the top flight of women’s football and she says she is leaving the club in a good place.
CHELSEA ARE THE CHAMPIONS!! 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/spemV9Svxh
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) May 18, 2024
In her final post-match press conference, she said: “It has taken its toll. I categorically cannot carry on. I don’t have another drop to give it.
“There is so much of the job, dealing with people, and when you deal with people I have such high standards for myself that maintaining that has become impossible.
“I can’t keep up with the demands from players on a daily basis, in terms of their emotional needs, in terms of everything, and I’ve found that to be gruelling this year.
“I hope that the club really supports the new manager to get player care and a little bit more performance psychology.
“I really believe in the wellbeing, even though I can’t take care of it in the same way.
“I’ve made my suggestions to the sporting directors and I know they’ll take it on. It was lovely to have them here today.”
