- Hayes said goodbye to Chelsea on Saturday
- Claimed fifth successive WSL title in final game
- Several staff to join her in making USWNT switch
WHAT HAPPENED
Hayes said goodbye to the Blues on Saturday and they went out on a high together by beating Manchester United 6-0 to win a fifth successive Women’s Super League title. It was also a farewell game for star forward Fran Kirby and ‘mother hen’ Maren Mjelde, whose contracts expire this summer, as well as several members of Hayes’ staff.
.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1)
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Chelsea confirmed on Tuesday that assistant coach Denise Reddy, goalkeeper coach Stuart Searle, head of performance Bart Caubergh, performance analyst Ferdia O’Hanrahan and opposition analyst Cameron Meighan have all also left the club and will join Hayes’ coaching staff at the USWNT.
WHAT SEARLE SAID
Searle is the longest-serving of that quintet, having been part of the Chelsea staff for 11 of Hayes’ 12 years in charge. Speaking about the manager just last week on the We Are Chelsea podcast, he said: “She is a leader. She is not just a manager, but a leader – and you jump on board with that journey. You jump on her boat and she will travel across the world with you. It is a lot about trust and there is a lot of trust put into individuals, both staff and players. People understand their roles and they know how to play their roles over the course of the season.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Chelsea have not announced Hayes’ successor yet but it is expected to be Lyon boss Sonia Bompastor. The French club are in the Champions League final, to be played on Saturday, and so it’s likely that the news will be confirmed after that huge match.
