Emma Hayes vs Sarina Wiegman: Chelsea star Lauren James reveals what makes incoming USWNT coach & current Lionesses boss ‘quite different’

Multiple WSL title winner Hayes is in the process of bidding a long goodbye to Chelsea, as she prepares to inherit the USWNT reins in the summer of 2024. Wiegman, meanwhile, has guided England to European Championship glory and the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.

Lionesses star James is fortunate enough to work with both and has told FIFA’s official website when asked to compare the iconic coaches: “They’re both demanding and they’ve obviously both won a lot of things. But they’re quite different [as personalities] and I think they have different qualities. They're great coaches - great with the team, great with myself – and I think what they’ve achieved has shown just how good they are. I think the fact they're two quite different personalities also means they can bring out different things in me. They each have their own ways of getting the best out of you as a player.”

James has earned 20 England caps under Wiegman and remains convinced that they can compete for more major honours at upcoming international tournaments. She added on gracing the grandest of stages: "It had always been a dream for me to go to a World Cup, to be there and make my debut was special. I think the overall highlight was my first goal in the World Cup against Denmark and, yeah, reaching the final too of course. Each atmosphere, every game - even the atmosphere away from games – I thought it was all amazing. I really enjoyed it."

She went on to say of the 2027 finals: "I want to be at that World Cup - and hopefully next time we can come away with the trophy!"

James has been in dazzling form at club level of late, with a personal purple patch delivering a flurry of goals, and she will be hoping to maintain those standards as Chelsea look to land WSL and Champions League titles before Hayes signs off.