'U.S. Soccer got the coach they wanted' - USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter says hiring of new USWNT coach Emma Hayes is an 'exciting step' for American soccer

U.S. Soccer confirmed the hiring of Hayes on Tuesday, with the Chelsea boss set to take over after the conclusion of her club season. She'll join the team just before the Olympics, with the decision to wait for Hayes indicating that U.S. Soccer sees her as the perfect coach to lead the team into the future.

Until then, the U.S. will remain led by interim coach Twila Kilgore, who has been in charge since Vlatko Andonovski's departure this summer.

The hiring of Hayes also made quite the statement off the field, as U.S. Soccer reportedly made her the highest-paid women's coach of all time when they lured her to the USWNT gig.

Reports say that Hayes will earn around the same salary as USMNT boss Berhalter, with Hayes set to make around $2 million (£1.6m) per year.

"I think it's great that U.S. Soccer went out and hired the person they want," Berhalter said. "What I know about Emma, the soccer world is a small world and you hear nothing but good things about Emma. I've reached out to her and we have had some brief exchanges but I don't know her well. Everything you hear about her is how thorough she is, how process-oriented it is, how bright she is, how she's so focused on team culture and teamwork.

"I think it's an exciting step for the women's team, which has already been a groundbreaking team and already been a team that just performs on the field, breaking down barriers off the field. You name it, they've done it. I think this is a fitting appointment and it speaks highly of Matt Crocker and what he was able to do to get together good coaching pool."

The USWNT will be back in action under Kilgore during the first week of December, when they host China for a pair of friendlies.

The USMNT, meanwhile, are set to face Trinidad & Tobago on Thursday and Monday as Berhalter's side looks to book a place in the Copa America.