Emma Hayes is filled with enthusiasm as she looks forward to taking charge of the USWNT during the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.

Emma Hayes, the current Chelsea manager, has expressed her excitement at the prospect of managing the US women’s national football team at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Hayes, who has enjoyed tremendous success during her 11 seasons at Chelsea, including a record six Women’s Super League titles, will remain with the club until the end of the current season before taking up her new role with the USWNT just before the Games begin in July.

With Chelsea currently sitting at the top of the WSL table and on track to win more trophies, Hayes is likely to leave the club on a high. The team is also expected to qualify for the Women’s Champions League knockout stages, with their crucial match against Real Madrid set to be shown live on TNT Sports.

While Hayes is excited about her new challenge, she admitted that leaving Chelsea will be an emotional experience. She said, “I’ll be absolutely distraught. I’m a bit of a sobber. I think I’ll cry my eyes out for the last few weeks. I’ve done my bit and I certainly hope they welcome me back as a fan because that’s how I see myself.”

Hayes will be tasked with revitalizing the USWNT, who suffered a shock exit from the Women’s World Cup last year. As the four-time world champions, it was the earliest they had ever been knocked out of the tournament. Hayes acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “I’ll have to work with a team off the pitch as well in a much different way to prepare for major tournaments. But I’m so excited to go to the Olympics and the World Cup, it’s what dreams are made of.”

In addition to her new role, Hayes is set to become the highest-paid female manager ever with the USWNT. Her annual salary of £1.3 million will be on par with the manager of the US men’s team, Gregg Berhalter. Hayes has been a vocal advocate for gender equality in football and spoke about the significance of being part of the continued growth of women’s football. She said, “I think those are the moments I pinch myself about more than I do the achievements.”

Overall, Emma Hayes is eagerly anticipating her new challenge with the USWNT and is excited about the opportunity to lead a team at the Paris Olympics and a World Cup in three years’ time. Her departure from Chelsea will be an emotional one, but she leaves behind a legacy of success and hopes to be welcomed back as a fan.