Hayes has ‘smile’ back after stress made her feel ‘unwell’ at Chelsea

Emma Hayes revealed she feels refreshed as USA head coach after the stress at the end of her time at Chelsea left her feeling “unwell”.

Hayes was in charge of the Blues for 12 years, during which time she won seven Women's Super League titles, including each of the last five between 2019-20 and 2023-24.

In total, she oversaw 345 matches in all competitions, winning 244 of them (70.72% win rate).

The 48-year-old left Chelsea at the end of last season, staged a stunning comeback in the WSL title race to beat Manchester City to the title on goal difference, and took over as US women's head coach in May.

She led the team to Olympic gold in her first tournament and went undefeated during their tournament in Paris.

Asked about the advantages of international football compared to domestic football, Hayes admitted the latter had taken its toll on her.

“I don't have to sacrifice the things that made me healthy. I didn't feel healthy in the end, I even felt unwell at the end of my time at Chelsea,” she said at a press conference.

There's no place like home

We start our week in London on @worldsendcamden with Camden pride: @emmahayes1 pic.twitter.com/WPPDyLcAAr

– US Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 25, 2024

“It wasn't pressure, it was the stress and the toll it took on me, and going through menopause was even harder.

“To get on top of all these things, I got my mojo back and my smile and joy back, which I didn't know I lost.”

The US face England at Wembley on Saturday, and Hayes will face a number of her former players, with Millie Bright, Hannah Hampton and Aggie Beever-Jones in the Lionesses squad.

However, Hayes is determined to keep her undefeated start as United States head coach intact against her home country.

'I'm looking forward to seeing Sarina [Wiegman]she said. 'Of course I have to experience a strange moment when the national anthems are played.

'I'm humming along [God Save the King] because I am the English person but also the same for the American one because I love it, I love both national anthems.

“After that weird moment and running into players I've been at war with, things are picking up. I hope it's an entertaining game and a sellout.”