Emma Hayes is immortal! USWNT-bound boss gets ‘Chelsea legend forever’ billing from Lionesses star Lauren James

Hayes is in the process of bidding a long goodbye to the Blues, as her stunning 12-year reign in west London comes to a close. At the end of the 2023-24 campaign, she will be heading to the United States to fill a demanding international post.

Hayes will leave Chelsea with multiple WSL titles and FA Cup triumphs to her name, with there still the potential for her to land a first Champions League crown before bidding farewell, and James says her achievements will stand the test of time.

Lionesses star James has told Sky Sports of the collective desire at Chelsea to deliver more silverware for their outgoing boss: “We want to win trophies – obviously for the club, for ourselves and especially because it’s Emma’s final year. Hopefully we can send her off on a high for all of the amazing years that she has had at the club. She will live on to be a Chelsea legend forever.”

James has thrived under Hayes since joining Chelsea from Manchester United in 2021 – registering a personal-best 15 goals this season – and said of how important her current coach has been to ongoing individual development: “Massive. She just understands me as a person, on and off the pitch. She knows how to get the best out of me – good and bad days. That didn’t just come overnight, but she put time into me to work together on that.”

Chelsea, who sit top of the WSL table but only on goal difference, will be back in action on Sunday when taking in a short trip to London neighbours West Ham – while the Blues have a League Cup final showdown with Arsenal to look forward to on March 31.