'The force is with you' - Chelsea boss Emma Hayes makes bizarre Star Wars analogy as she responds to question on countdown to taking USWNT job

The Blues boss will leave the club at the end of the season to take over as USWNT coach. Before she departs, she hopes to guide the London team to a seventh Women's Super League title and challenge for the Women's Champions League. However, her mind is on continuing Star Wars more than her last months in charge.

Asked if she has extra motivation at Chelsea because she is in her final few months in the job, Hayes replied: "The Force Awakens, Star Wars episode six [seven, sic], that gave me a lot of inspiration last night. I'm certain that the resistance continue to inspire and we can keep at bay that evil empire. For now, all I'm thinking about is I need to get onto The Mandalorian."

When the reporter admitted he does not know much about Star Wars, she said: "The force is with you. I can see it in you. Don't worry."

After 12 years in charge of the reigning English champions, the 47-year-old will head to the USA to begin her new job. Her first task will be to lead the team in the Olympic Games in Paris this summer and secure a fifth gold medal in the competition.

Hayes' Chelsea team will look to continue in the FA Women's League Cup when they meet Sunderland on Wednesday. They will then hope to extend their three-point lead at the top of the WSL on Friday when they take on second-placed Manchester City.