Being USA boss like becoming a grandparent – Hayes

Working in international football, according to American manager Emma Hayes, is like having a “grandparent” because managers only have time with their players.

The former Chelsea manager described managing the US as “thoroughly enjoyable” after receiving an induction into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame.

The 48-year-old described it as “incredible, it really has.” “It’s like having grandkids playing international football. At the end of that time, you send them back to their parents or their clubs and you don’t see them [the players] all the time.

I’ve really enjoyed getting to know new players and working with a country that has been very dear to me and a significant part of my development.

Hayes added that she was “ready for a move away from club football” after a career that saw her win seven league titles with Chelsea, and that her new position allowed her to “zoom out” and use her strategic thinking to concentrate on “long-term solutions.”

She led the team to a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games just under three months after taking over as US manager.

Although Japan defeated them 2-1 in the final of the invitational SheBelieves Cup in February, they made it to the final.

I didn’t anticipate the transition going to be this way. She said, “I’m enjoying life as an international coach, and it’s been a lot of fun.

Hayes told Delyth Lloyd, a presenter of sport, that she was “proud” of her inclusion in the hall of fame, which includes her along with Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Bob Paisley, and Brian Clough, in a statement released on Radio 4’s Today program.

She continued, “I think it’s a proud day for me and my family, and I think I get the chance to reflect on that once I’ve taken some time off of the work I’ve done at Chelsea.” I’m so happy to be here.

Hayes also praised the performance of Chelsea under new manager Sonia Bompastor, and said her successor had “taken the team” to a whole new level.”

After his passing earlier this month, she also paid tribute to former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Matt Beard, who she said will be remembered as a “great human being.”

He was loved by the players. He “cared about them, he developed them, he created a winning team at Liverpool,” Hayes said. He did it before anyone else was looking, he did it when he didn’t have any money, and he has had a huge impact on the ecosystem [in women’s football].