Emma Hayes insists it is disrespectful to say the United States women’s football team (USWNT) are a “shoo-in” for success at the Olympics.
The US, now managed by the legendary former Chelsea boss, have been tipped as the favourites for gold at Paris 2024, with their side packed with some of football’s biggest stars.
While a key contender, they won the last of their four gold medals at London 2012, crashing out in the quarter-finals at Rio 2016 before claiming bronze at Tokyo three years ago.
World champions Spain will be one of the Americans’ main rivals, while the likes of France, Brazil and Germany boast strong squads.
And Hayes believes women’s football has grown to a point where no result is a given.
Ahead of their Olympics opener against Zambia, the 47-year-old said: “I think one of the biggest problems is that too often is that we talk about what we’re going to do in Paris or what happens when we get to the semis and finals.
The Boss 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/6io7GYLHzp
— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 20, 2024
“I think it’s disrespectful to the rest of the world to talk like that.
“And I think that the game has moved to a point where that isn’t the case. It isn’t a shoo-in to get somewhere.
“It has to be earned and there’s no given right when women’s football has developed the way it has across the world, that there are top football nations in this tournament.
“Any given day, any opponent can beat anyone. I do believe that. I don’t think shocks in the women’s game exist anymore.
“I think we need to frame our focus a little bit and have respect for the rest of the world.”
After facing Zambia, USA come up against Germany and Australia in Group B.
