SONIA BOMPASTOR vowed to live up to Emma Hayes’ trophy-winning legacy after becoming Chelsea Women’s new boss.
Today Blues chiefs confirmed the ex-Lyon boss, 43, will take charge of the Women’s Super League champs after penning a four-year deal.
Her appointment comes four days after her former side lost this year’s Women’s Champions League final to Barcelona.
However this season Bompastor guided Lyon to a third consecutive title in France’s top-flight.
Her three-year reign at the French giants’ helm, saw her clinch seven major trophy wins.
These include a Champions League crown in 2022 following a 3-1 defeat of Barca in that year’s decider.
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Of her Blues appointment Bompastor said: “I am incredibly grateful to join Chelsea as the manager of the women’s team.
“It is an institution in English football. I will give my all to this new project to meet the ambitions of the club, the staff and the players.
“I hope to live up to Emma’s legacy and continue the work that has been done in recent years. Let the adventure begin.”
Bompastor, whose midfield playing skills earned her 156 France caps, is the only coach in Lyon’s history to have won the Women’s Champions League as a manager and a player.
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During her 13-year senior playing career that began at 20, the former France midfielder played for Lyon during two three-year spells from 2006 and 2010.
And after hanging up her boots in 2013 she took up coaching role in the club’s academy before taking over as first-team head coach three years ago.
Bompastor’s trophy haul as a manager includes a league and European silverware double during her first full season at Lyon’s helm
Chelsea chiefs say the head coach was hired as a successor to Hayes, who left the role to become USA women’s boss this month, following an in-depth recruitment procedure.
Blues general manager Paul Green said: “The sporting directors and I conducted a thorough and considered recruitment process to identify Emma’s successor.
“Sonia’s vision, coaching philosophy and winning mentality made her the outstanding candidate.
“She is a world-class coach with a proven track record of success on the biggest stages that will instantly command respect from the dressing room.”
Bompastor’s assistants at Camille Abily and Theo Rivrin will join her when she takes charge of Chelsea.
The former Lyon is set to begin her new role on July 1.
Chelsea’s co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said: “Sonia is the ideal candidate to build on Emma’s legacy and take the team forward.
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“She brings a wealth of experience from managing at the highest levels and winning trophies as a player and a coach.
“Her ethos and values align with the club’s. We are all looking forward to having her on board.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
