CHELSEA confirmed Emma Hayes’ tenure as their women’s team manager will continue with the Kingsmeadow gaffer signing a new two-year contract.
The deal will see Hayes extend her stint to 11 years in charge of the WSL juggernauts who notched up a fourth double trophy win last term.
The announcement comes almost two months after the London club reached their first ever Women’s Champions League final, where they were beaten by Barcelona.
And it will be welcome news for Chelsea fans who have witnessed their club become the most successful WSL side since the division was established ten years ago.
Hayes, who took up the reins at Kingsmeadow in 2012, has led the Blues to 10 major trophy wins.
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These include four WSL titles, two Women’s FA Cups and two Continental trophies, including this year’s league cup.
On her new contract, the Camden-born gaffer said: “Everyone knows what this club means to me.
“The work we’ve done together over the last nine years has been hugely rewarding, full of growth of the women’s game, accompanied with winning, which is one of the club’s key values.
“I really look forward to keep building on the successes we’ve already achieved and I’m delighted to have extended further.
“It’s been a year and a half without fans, so I can’t wait to welcome them back to our home and share with them the wonderful team we’ve built together.”
Blues director Marina Granovskaia added: “We are delighted Emma has committed to stay at Chelsea.
“History speaks for itself, and we are really proud of what she has achieved in the past nine years, not just at the club, but also for the growth of the women’s game.
“It is phenomenal and a real credit to Emma for her continued passion, hard work and dedication to the sport.”
Hayes, who grew up in North London, started her football management journey in 2001 at US women’s club Long Island Lady Riders.
The Blues chief went on to work as head coach of university side Iona College from 2003 to 2006.
And this was followed by a trophy-laden two-year spell at Arsenal Ladies as an assistant and academy director during the reign of legendary boss Vic Akers.
Hayes would join Chelsea in 2012 following another two-year stint in US women’s football managing Chicago Redstars.
And she would lead the side to their first Women’s FA Cup and league title win in 2015 and four back-to-back WSL crowns in six seasons.
Chelsea, who embarked on the Women’s Super League’s longest unbeaten run – going 33 games undefeated – are targeting their first major trophy win in Europe next term.
The Blues will be competing in the Champions League alongside domestic rivals Man City and Arsenal.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
