How will Chelsea boss Emma Hayes finish her last season in the Women’s Super League?

When you think of great football managers in the English women’s game, you think of Emma Hayes.

After managerial and technical director spells in the USA, followed by an assistant role at Arsenal, Hayes joined Chelsea in the summer of 2012 just one year after the introduction of the Women’s Super League.

Apart from a Premier League Southern Division and South East Counties League title, Chelsea’s trophy cabinet was somewhat empty prior to Hayes’ introduction.

Fast forward eleven years and the Blues have six WSL titles to their name, as well as five FA Cups, two League Cups and a Community Shield.

The only thing missing? A UEFA Champions League trophy.

Before Hayes prepares for a new challenge in the States, she has one last shot at securing the Blues their first-ever trophy in Europe's most prestigious competition. Could this be the season that she wins it all?

Emma Hayes’ Chelsea through the years

The Blues narrowly missed out on their first WSL title after falling short on goal difference to Liverpool on the final day of the 2013/14 season.

With the final day heartbreak still fresh, Hayes began to strategically rebuild her squad that summer, bringing in the likes of Fran Kirby and Millie Bright, who to this day remain as pivotal members of the Chelsea side.

Her rebuild paid off in the form of Chelsea’s first-ever domestic double that 2014/15 season, as her side secured the WSL title and beat Notts County 1-0 in the FA Cup final.

Hayes’ first taste of success with Chelsea only inspired a hunger for more.

Despite a trophyless 2015/16 season, the Chelsea boss was working hard behind the scenes to ensure a new level of professionalism for her female players.

“She built everything at Chelsea,” former Chelsea and Arsenal player Katie Chapman told The Guardian.

“From having the kit washed to having food, to having our own building, to having our own training and pitches. Now, it’s an absolute professional setup but everything’s been a fight over the years to do that. She’s always looking at how she can help everybody else.”

From her time spent coaching in the USA, Hayes had played witness to the heights that women’s football could reach and became determined to reach those same heights in her home country, so much so that she was awarded an MBE in 2016 for her services to football.

Hayes’ rebuild continued into 2017/18 and new recruits Ramona Bachmann, Maren Mjelde and Erin Cuthbert helped the Blues secure their second WSL title.

Long before her Chelsea career began, Hayes demonstrated a keen eye for talent recruitment. In 2008, during her managerial duties with NWSL side Chicago Red Stars, Hayes had a draft pick.

Her first choice? A then 23 year-old, unknown Megan Rapinoe. After meeting with Hayes, Rapinoe decided to join the side and thus began her own historic career.

After another trophyless season in 2018/19, Hayes’ strategic signings helped a new, modern day Chelsea begin to take shape. The likes of Sam Kerr, Magda Eriksson, and Pernille Harder only strengthened the Blues further and propelled them to record-breaking back-to-back wins in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 season.

In 2021, Hayes became the first female manager to reach the Women’s UEFA Champions League final in twelve years. Chelsea lost their inaugural final to Barcelona but finished the season with another domestic double whilst Hayes was named The Best FIFA Football Coach of the year.

Emma Hayes at Chelsea: This season

The only thing left for Hayes to achieve at Chelsea is a UEFA Champions League trophy. The Blues kicked off their European campaign with a convincing performance against Real Madrid, and the squad will be eager to secure their faithful boss one last trophy before she departs for a new challenge.

As it stands, Chelsea are three points clear at the top of the WSL and are currently unbeaten in the league.

Last season saw Chelsea youngster Lauren James break onto the scene, and the forward is going from strength to strength under Hayes. The 22-year-old, alongside Matildas captain Sam Kerr, will be imperative to Hayes this year as she looks to secure the Champions League trophy.

Following an impeccable 5-1 win over Liverpool in the WSL this November James told the media, “with the news of Emma leaving, everything I do this year is thankful to her.”

What is next for Emma Hayes and Chelsea?

With less than six months left of the football season, Emma Hayes is nearing the end of her Chelsea tenure.

Given her love and loyalty for Chelsea Football Club, it would have needed a hugely tempting offer to lure her away and she has perhaps secured the most lucrative of them all.

With the USWNT in a tricky transitional period, Hayes now has the chance to put her stamp on the four-time Women’s World Cup champions’ setup.

The most recent Women’s FIFA World Cup campaign is one the USWNT will be eager to forget, and with big names such as Rapinoe stepping into retirement, the pressure falls on Hayes to revolutionise the once feared US side.

Already known as one of the best coaches in the world, Hayes has the opportunity to truly cement her name in world football by demonstrating her ability to produce at club and country level.

As for Chelsea, they now face the daunting task of filling Hayes’ boots. The club are yet to announce her successor and will no doubt take great care in recruiting their next manager if they are to continue the legacy that Hayes has worked so hard to build.