Emma Hayes, the long-time Chelsea coach and current coach of the US Women’s National Team, was named Women’s Coach of the Year at the 2024 Ballon d’Or Awards.
Hayes led Chelsea to the Women’s Super League title – her seventh with the Blues – before calling on her time in London to take the reins of the USWNT.
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She is undefeated at the helm of the U.S. women’s team, leading the team to an Olympic gold medal this summer in Paris.
Hayes won the highest honor in the 2021 FIFA Best of the Year Awards and was Women’s Super League Manager of the Season six times during her time at Chelsea.
The 48-year-old Londoner played for Arsenal before coaching in the US with the Long Island Lady Raiders, Iona Gaels and Chicago Red Stars. She joined Chelsea in 2012 and took over the USWNT this spring.
Emma Hayes’ reaction to her Ballon d’Or award
(from ussoccer.com)
“It is an honor to be recognized for the accomplishments she has achieved with the US Women’s National Team and Chelsea,” Hayes said. “I just want to say a huge thank you to all the staff and players from both teams, and I have some special praise for the other nominees. They are exceptional coaches and I am proud to be in the same company with them. As we all know, football is a team game and I am so grateful to be leading some amazing teams this of the year, so this award is for everyone who was part of the American team and Chelsea.
