Chelsea manager Emma Hayes bid a glassy-eyed farewell in her final news conference in charge before she takes over the United States women’s national team, but insisted that not winning a trophy this season won’t define her tenure with the club.
Hayes has spent 12 years in charge at Chelsea, accumulating 15 trophies across England. However, after a rocky season, her side are battling with Manchester City for their fifth consecutive Women’s Super League title.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
The final day of the season on Saturday will decide whether Hayes departs with a trophy — having been knocked out of the FA Cup, Conti Cup and Champions League in recent weeks — or goes through a season without winning silverware for the first time since 2018.
“We’ve had a lot of winning, and so I don’t really think the pressure is on us,” Hayes told a prematch news conference on Friday.
“I’d love to leave with another title, but it definitely won’t define my tenure here.”
Chelsea face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday where Hayes hopes her side will lift the WSL trophy in her final game.
City’s defeat to Arsenal on May 5 handed Chelsea a lifeline after their 4-3 loss to Liverpool a few days before.
After beating Tottenham on Wednesday, the sides enter the final day of the season level on points (52) but Chelsea are ahead on goal difference by two goals (+47).
Hayes admitted it will be an emotional day as she prepares to say goodbye to Chelsea but said she is excited to get back to her normal self after a taxing few years.
“I had my last drive into work today. My office is already cleared out. It’s my last coaching session with a group of people who I have built strong bonds with,” Hayes said.
“I think staying on top of emotion is something I’m really good at. Sometimes I really hate that. I think you have to do that a lot as a manager, take a lot of emotion out of things which is probably one of the reasons why I’m leaving this job.
“I miss Emma and feeling like I don’t have to watch every word I say or worry about what my body language looks like in every situation because I’ve got cameras on me but I wouldn’t change a single thing.”
Hayes also insisted that coaches do not get enough slack, referring to how Manchester United manager Marc Skinner faced boos despite winning the FA Cup last weekend.
She hopes her legacy will continue to build but said that the club need to continue to invest to ensure they maintain standards under a new manager.
“When I see Arsenal announce that they got 11 home games, this should be happening here. That’s what I want to see Chelsea, I want to see us play at Stamford Bridge every week, but sold out, that’s the first thing,” Hayes said.
“I want the girls to have a new facility, I want that to continue to be upgraded. I want them to continue to have a voice and I know they will. I know the technical directors will work with the leadership group — the players’ leadership group — and they will continue to build on that.
“I want them to put the legacy into the walls, but through the eyes of the players not mine. I want them to be heard around what legacy is to them and what the cultures are that they want to remain. And I want them to never ever stop asking, ‘what can we do better. As I always say, do it again, but do it with class and keep giving to the Chelsea fan base in the way that I have.”
