New San Diego Wave manager Jonas Eidevall has criticised US Women’s National Team (USWNT) manager Emma Hayes over the high-profile touchline confrontation between the pair last season, saying they have had “no relationship” since.
Hayes pushed Eidevall after his Arsenal team beat her Chelsea side after extra time in the 2023/24 English League Cup final in March, later publicly accusing him of “male aggression”.
Seven-time English title-winning manager Hayes has since taken over as USA boss and may have to resume communications with Eidevall, who has inherited a team including the likes of USWNT players Jaedyn Shaw and Naomi Girma.
Emma Hayes and Jonas Eidevall had some push and shove after full time in the Women’s League Cup final 🥊
This is the Arsenal boss’ explanation of what happened.#ContiCup pic.twitter.com/m1vcOZKtAp
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) March 31, 2024
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Eidevall: No ‘message or call’ from Hayes
“The reaction after the match, when she gives me a little push, was a non-event for me,” Eidevall told Swedish outlet Aftonbladet.
“I can live with that. I understand those who say that if it had been the other way around, what would have happened to me then? But it is so far from my reality, I would never have done that. So I put that aside.
“On the other hand, the comments after the match, when the adrenaline has subsided – I was very disappointed by that. And I’m also very disappointed that she hasn’t been able to send a message or make a call to say that it went wrong.”
Speaking after the final, Hayes said Eidevall’s “fronting up” to midfielder Erin Cuthbert was “unacceptable”, although the Swede defended his actions and said he had been attempting to stop Chelsea from restarting play with a different ball after Arsenal’s opponents had pushed for the final to be played without a multiball system.
“I don’t think it’s OK to behave like that,” Hayes argued. “He got a yellow card and he should have probably been sent off. I totally accept he’s a winner and wants to win, but his behaviour on the touchline wasn’t acceptable.”
THE EIDEVALL ERA HAS ARRIVED 🌊 pic.twitter.com/4EqWinJGqu
— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) January 7, 2025
League Cup final ’emotions’
Eidevall said he had “no idea” why Hayes had acted as she did. “I think there is something in the fact that I am the only one who has won many games against her Chelsea,” he suggested.
“I don’t think any coach has done [as well], so maybe that’s why. Then football is a lot of emotions, and I understand that it was a match with emotions from all sides and corners.
“Maybe we didn’t talk to each other that much [before the final], but we talked in a good way, about the league’s development and players. But after the League Cup final, we have had no relationship at all, he says.
“And that’s what I mean… [we want from] a good relationship to having no relationship. I won’t be the one to extend a hand either, because I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong or crazy in the situation.
🎙️ “I don’t hold any grudges”
Jonas Eidevall on his relationship with Emma Hayes… pic.twitter.com/Fv3jj6y3Gs
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) January 8, 2025
“The way I experienced it, it was just a way to try to harm me and my person through the media. I took that quite badly and didn’t think it turned out well at all.”
Eidevall won four, lost five and drew two of his meetings with Hayes, although his only titles were two League Cup triumphs during more than three years in England.
The 41-year-old resigned as Gunners boss in October, three days after a 2-1 Women’s Super League against Chelsea at Emirates Stadium.
2021/22 Champions League-winning manager Sonia Bompastor left Lyon to succeed Hayes in May.
