United States women’s boss Emma Hayes says the men’s game is not ready to introduce female managers yet.
Hannah Dingley is the only person to have a leading role in the men’s game, being appointed Forest Green Rovers interim boss in 2023.
But no woman is yet to be given a permanent gig in the men’s game.
Hayes was incredibly successful with Chelsea in the Women’s Super League, winning seven titles and five in a row before leaving this summer.
She joined up with the US team and led them to Olympic Gold immediately.
Despite her success and previous links to the England role and other positions in the men’s game, she is aware that people are not ready for it yet.
Speaking to the Today programme, she said: “I think you need to get more owners in to ask them that question, because they’re the people you have to ask that question to. I’m not the one in charge of that.
Emma Hayes says the men’s game is not ready to appoint female managers 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/LrVAQGQMjW
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 5, 2024
“I’ve said this a million times over – you can find a female pilot, a female doctor, a female lawyer, a female banker, but you can’t find a female coach working in the men’s game, leading men.
“It just shows you how much work there is to be done.”
Hayes was recently nominated for the women’s Ballon d’Or as the best coach alongside England coach Sarina Wiegman and new Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor.
However, the men’s award did not include any female coaches.