SONIA BOMPASTOR sees becoming Chelsea boss as coming out of her comfort zone with the Blues embarking on a new era under her.
Guiding the team to the Champions League prize that eluded them during Emma Hayes’ trophy-laden reign is the ex-Lyon gaffer’s a top priority.
The France-born mother-of-four is the first woman to win contest both as a player and a manager.
And next season will be the Blues’ first of the post-Hayes era following their former boss becoming USA Women’s head coach at the end of last term after 12 years at the helm.
In her first Chelsea press conference yesterday, Bompastor talked of her admiration of Hayes’ legacy.
Aside from attempting to add an eighth top-flight trophy to the seven the Blues lifted under her predecessor, she is determined to see them claim Europe’s top club football prize.
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And while she respects the foundations Hayes put in place, she intends to build Chelsea in her own vision as she attempts to achieve this goal.
Bompastor, who was appointed as Blues boss in May on a four-year deal, said: “I am a completely different person from Emma.
“I have a different vision and philosophy. I’m just trying to build on that legacy.
“For me what is really important is to come to this club, respect everything that was built before and build my own vision.
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“From my background and experience, I can support the players and the club to achieve their goals.
“I will use everyone to make sure we bring what we need to bring to make sure this team keeps performing at a high level.”
Next week Chelsea embark on their first pre-season tour in the USA a month before Bompastor’s first WSL game at their helm on September 22 when her team host Aston Villa.
An August 20 clash with Gotham City will be followed by a duel with Arsenal five days later, a warm-up to them battling for next season’s title along with their domestic rivals.
The games will also provide an insight into the approach and mindset of the new Blues chief who hates losing.
Her ultra-competitive edge has been highlighted by players managed by her in the past.
They include Aston Villa playmaker Kenza Dali who was coached by Bompastor in Lyon’s academy at the age of 16.
Dali, describes as someone who knows exactly what it takes to win.
An individual whose fierce competitive edge helped her triumph in the Champions League twice as a player in 2011 and 2012, and once as a manager in 2022.
Bompastor, adds: “As a manager I am really competitive and I don’t like losing. I’m a really bad loser and I never want it to happen.
“I will work really hard to make sure we are not in that position but sometimes it can happen.
“I am a manager who really likes to take care of people as well.
“When you are a player you always take care of yourself and sometimes you are selfish.
“As a manager, you never think about you, you always think about everyone else.”
Since retiring 11 years ago after a 13-year senior playing career, including two Lyon spells, Bompastor helped her the club maintain their dominance in France’s top tier.
Three successive titles were won during her three seasons coaching Lyon’s senior side from 2021, after seven years managing their women’s academy.
The team also lifted a Champions League trophy in May 2022 beating Barcelona 3-1 in the final.
Winning this tournament with Chelsea is high on Bompastor’s agenda aside from a capturing every major domestic prize in England.
And the challenge of doing so at a club who have sacked three men’s team managers since May 2022, is not a concern for her.
The Chelsea chief said: “Even if the club puts me under some pressure, I’m the one who puts even more pressure on me.
“I’ve signed for four years and four years is a good time for me to come and put (forward) my own philosophy and vision.
“Sometimes it’s good to come out of your comfort zone and have this new challenge. For me the goal is really clear.
“I had the opportunity to win the Champions League in France, but I wanted to come to a club who has the ambitions to win the Champions League and in a new country.”
In the past Bompastor’s predecessor Hayes did not shy away from criticising match scheduling amid concerns fixture congestion could impact players’ welfare.
Last November the Blues played three games in seven days
These included a Saturday lunchtime duel with Liverpool preceded a Wednesday night Champions League clash away at Real Madrid.
The team have a Champions League group game (on October 8 or 9) sandwiched between two of their biggest fixtures these coming season.
These are a home game against Man United on October 6 and a clash with Arsenal at the Emirates on October 13.
And Bompastor has no qualms about making her “voice heard” on fixture scheduling concerns.
The Chelsea chief said: “Something what will be really difficult is when you have to play a Champions League game midweek, and then have to play a very big game on weekends against Arsenal, Manchester City, or Man United.
“This is something really hard, because you need to perform during one week with three competitive games.
“It’s really difficult sometimes for the players to be able to perform with not a lot of recovery between the games.
“This is really different from France.
“In France, the French (football) federation was helping the French clubs a lot, especially the ones who are playing the Champions League.
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“They were the ones making sure Lyon were not playing a big team in the league to help us to perform in the Champions League.
“This is maybe something we will need to work on with the FA. I will try to use my voice.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
