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    Emma Hayes ‘agrees’ lucrative new role with Chelsea players and staff left ‘stunned’ by shock departure

    EMMA HAYES has reportedly agreed a lucrative new role away from Chelsea after the club announced she would leave at the end of the season.Hayes has had a superb spell with The Blues winning six Women’s Super League titles, five Women’s FA Cups and two FA Women’s League Cups.
    Emma Hayes has reportedly agreed to take over as the US Women’s national team after it was announced she will be leaving ChelseaCredit: Getty
    And her impressive record seems to have earned her a seat in one of the highest profile roles in women’s football.
    According to the Telegraph, the decorated manager has agreed to become the new head coach of the US Women’s national team.
    The report suggests that the USWNT are also keen on poaching Chelsea’s assistant manager Denise Reddy to follow suit as her number two.
    Chelsea announced today that Hayes would be stepping down as manager at the end of the season in a statement on their club website.
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    It read: “Chelsea FC can today confirm that highly decorated Chelsea Women’s manager Emma Hayes OBE will depart the club at the end of the season to pursue a new opportunity outside of the WSL and club football.”
    The news was reportedly broken to the Chelsea squad following their 6-0 win over Aston Villa today.
    And it’s said that players and non-football staff were left shocked by the surprise departure with the 47-year-old held in such high regard around the club.
    Hayes will remain in charge of the London outfit until the 2023/24 season comes to a close in May.
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    Which will be music to the ears of Blues fans with their side currently sat top of the table and unbeaten in the opening five games of the campaign.
    But may come as a concern to stateside fans as the proposed scheduling would mean the US Women’s team would continue with a temporary boss in place until Hayes was able to take over full time.
    Twila Kilgore was appointed as the interim head coach for the national side in Ausgust and could remain in place until Hayes’ arrival.
    Reports from US football writer Joseph Lowry suggest that Hayes may join the USWNT during international breaks before taking over. More

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    My dad is a Ballon d’Or winner and president of his country, I’m following in his footsteps and scored at the World Cup

    GEORGE WEAH is the first and only ever African winner of the Ballon d’Or.The striker was crowned the best player of the year in 1995 following a stunning season with both Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan.
    George Weah is president of LiberiaCredit: AFP
    Timothy Weah plays for JuventusCredit: Getty
    Weah had fired PSG to a Ligue 1 title and two domestic cups before sealing a move to Italy, where he would go on to lift two Serie A trophies.
    The Liberian was a trailblazer for African football in Europe and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players the continent has ever produced.
    After spells at Chelsea and Manchester City, Weah retired and forged a career in politics.
    The 57-year-old was elected as president of Liberia in 2018, becoming the first ever professional footballer to be sworn into office and lead his country.
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    Meanwhile, his son Timothy was focusing on following in his father’s footsteps – as a player rather than a politician.
    The 23-year-old was on the books of PSG as a youngster before earning a switch to Lille.
    Weah represents the United States’ national team rather than Liberia as he grew up in New York, saying the decision to choose the US was “very simple”.
    And he caught the eye at the World Cup in Qatar last year, scoring a goal in their 1-1 draw against Wales in the group stages.
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    Weah, who is a winger rather than a striker like his dad, started all four matches for his country before they were knocked out in the last 16 by Holland.
    But his impressive displays earned him a move to Juventus in the summer and he has made ten appearances so far.
    George Weah won the 1995 Ballon d’orCredit: AP:Associated Press
    Weah scored for the US at the last World CupCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More