How Emma Hayes became the world's highest-paid female football coach

The United States women's national team have long been regarded as the benchmark of excellence in women's football. However, the 2023 World Cup could be remembered as the tournament where they sunk to an all-time low.  

Their elimination in the last-16 stage at the hands of Sweden in August marked their worst performance in a major international event. It was a significant departure from their previous dominance, having won four out of the last eight World Cups, including the last two, and never finishing worse than third.  

No team can maintain an unbeatable streak indefinitely, and the USA are not exempt from this reality. It is fair to acknowledge that their early exit from the World Cup was a blip, resulting from a combination of injuries, questionable coaching decisions, and unfortunate circumstances. However, it also served as a wake-up call.  

The gap between the dominant forces in women's football and their challengers has significantly narrowed. While the USA has played a pivotal role in advancing the growth of women's football globally, the rest of the world is catching up. The American swagger that once set them apart has become a trait shared by formidable competitors.

The USA now finds themselves confronted with unnerving questions. Is this new reality of tougher competition here to stay? And if so, how can they rectify the situation? Well, their response seems to lie in enticing one of the finest and most respected tacticians in women's football away from a prestigious position by offering her a salary that reflects her true worth.  

The U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) announced on Tuesday night that current Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has been appointed as the new head coach of their national team, making her the highest-paid women's football coach in the world.  

While the exact figure remains undisclosed, multiple U.S. media outlets have reported that Hayes's salary will be on par with that of Gregg Berhalter, the manager of the U.S. men's national team, who earns $1.6 million annually. 

"This is a huge honor to be given the opportunity to coach the most incredible team in world football history," Hayes said in a statement. "The feelings and connection I have for this team and for this country run deep. I've dreamed about coaching the USA for a long time so to get this opportunity is a dream come true.

"I know there is work to do to achieve our goals of winning consistently at the highest levels. To get there, it will require dedication, devotion and collaboration from the players, staff and everyone at the U.S. Soccer Federation.

"Emma is a fantastic leader and world class coach who sets high standards for herself and for everyone around her," added USSF president Cindy Parlow Cone. 

"She has tremendous energy and an insatiable will to win. Her experience in the USA, her understanding of our soccer landscape and her appreciation of what it means to coach this team makes her a natural fit for this role and we could not be more pleased to have her leading our Women's National Team forward."

Why Emma Hayes 

Hayes is widely regarded as one of the top masterminds in women's football. Hailing from London, Hayes began her managerial journey in 2001 with the Long Island Lady Riders of the USL W-League in the United States. She played a significant role in shaping the Western New York Flash team, which clinched a national championship in 2011. 

Her first head-coaching position came with the Chicago Red Stars of the Women's Professional Soccer league from 2008 to 2010. Following her tenure there, she made a move to Chelsea in 2012, where she has remained ever since. During her time with the Blues, Hayes has enjoyed remarkable success, securing six Women's Super League (WSL) titles, including the past four consecutively. Additionally, she has claimed five FA Cups and two League Cups. 

Individually, Hayes has received numerous accolades, including being named FA WSL Manager of the Season six times and League Managers Association Manager of the Year on five occasions. In 2021, she was honored as the Best Football Coach by FIFA and was inducted into the WSL Hall of Fame in the same year. Her track record and achievements speak volumes about her expertise and standing in the football world. 

Hayes's approach to coaching is centered around adapting her strategies based on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. It could prove instrumental in aiding the USA in bouncing back from rock bottom.  

By thoroughly analyzing the vulnerabilities of their opponents and evaluating the readiness of her own squad, Hayes meticulously crafts game plans with one ultimate objective in mind: winning at all costs. Her tactical flexibility might serve as a much-needed remedy as the USA adjusts to the ever-increasing number of fierce competitors in the international arena.

The task at hand 

Hayes will assume her position as the coach of the USA national team once her current contract with Chelsea concludes. The Women's Super League (WSL) season is set to end on May 18, 2024, marking the transition point for Hayes.  

Following this, she will join the national side two months prior to the commencement of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, which are scheduled to kick off on July 26, 2024. Alongside the Olympics, there is also the Concacaf W Gold Cup to consider, slated to take place from February 20 to March 10 next year.  

In the interim period, Twila Kilgore will continue to serve as the USA's interim manager until Hayes assumes her role. Kilgore will eventually become a permanent member of Hayes' coaching staff as a full-time assistant. 

"This is a unique situation, but the team is in safe hands with Twila," USSF sporting director Matt Crocker said. "Her stewardship will be crucial during this period as we are focused on success at the Olympics." 

Hayes will pick up the reins at a team undergoing a period of transition. The retirements of veteran stalwarts like Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz, who played instrumental roles in the USA's dominance of women's football, have left significant voids to fill.  

However, the team is not lacking in young talent. Players like Sophia Smith possess immense potential but have yet to reach their peak performances. As Hayes takes center stage, she will be tasked with harnessing the potential of these budding stars and guiding them towards their full capabilities. 

The landscape of women's football has evolved, and the competition has become fiercer than ever before. It's difficult to predict with certainty whether Hayes's appointment will be a resounding success. However, what can be said is that the days of the USA effortlessly cruising to the later stages of the major tournaments are no longer guaranteed, even with the world's highest-paid coach at the helm.