One day off! What Emma Hayes’ first week as USWNT boss looks like as Olympic countdown begins immediately after landing final WSL title with Chelsea

Hayes ensured that her legendary reign at Chelsea came to a trophy-winning end when maintaining domestic dominance in the British game. She has been bidding a long farewell to west London, with it announced in November 2023 that she would inheriting a prestigious post in the United States.

Attention can now turn to that challenge, with another exciting coaching chapter being opened as one comes to a close. Hayes is ready to throw herself head-first into the American dream, with the plan being to take just one day off before fully embracing another demanding role.

Hayes’ tenure will open with a double-header against South Korea in June, with a gold medal bid in Paris following in late July. Hayes has said of what the start of her reign looks like: “It's not tiring thinking about going to an Olympics, is it? It's different, a different energy. I'll feel reinvigorated and re-energised with something else. Sometimes people think you need a rest. Sometimes you just need a change. So, Monday, I have to speak to a handful of players and staff, as I have been doing in the background anyway, Tuesday I'm on a leadership call with U.S. leadership and on Wednesday, I fly to New York. Pressers Thursday, in Denver Friday to meet with the staff, and get prepared for the team to arrive on Monday. And listen, they deserve my full attention and they will get that from me. Those preparations have been put in place in the background, so yeah. I'm having one night. That's all I need. I'll be ready to go Monday morning.”

The USWNT have tied Hayes to a contract through to 2027. She will be working with a squad that has got back into the winning habit of late, with a group that blends youth with experience already savouring W Gold Cup and SheBelieves Cup glory in 2024.