Being offered a League One job is NOT an insult, Emma, it’s just different

IF Emma Hayes were to stop managing Chelsea in the Women’s Super League and start managing AFC Wimbledon in the EFL’S League One, it would be neither a step up nor a step down.

prise her out of Chelsea, where her team is currently enjoying a 33-game unbeaten WSL run.

And clearly, she would not be interested in going through an interview process that could see It would be a different challenge. competition for the job coming from Simple as that. the likes of Alan Pardew, Chris

Since my colleague Powell, Sol Campbell, Danny Cowley, Tony Banks reported Ian Holloway and that Hayes was on a Neil Harris. shortlist to replace There are always a the recently departed couple of things that Glyn Hodges, shortlists for lower the story has been league managerial hijacked by those posts have in wanting a ruck over common. the merits or otherwise They are never of women’s short and they have football. contenders on there

TALKING POINT Our back page that make you think… It is not insulting to on Tuesday revealing Dons interest suggest one job is WHY? bigger than the other but that Here’s why. Because there is always particular discussion is a spurious a chance, always a dream. debate to be had. League One is two steps away from

Chelsea’s women’s team and AFC the Premier League, unlikely as it Wimbledon’s men’s team have may seem for a club such as AFC contrasting success rates but they Wimbledon. are in different environments. Keep them up this season and who

As much as people have tried – knows? An injection of cash from lining up social media numbers, somewhere, a big takeover perhaps, attendance figures, wages and TV buy a few players and, soon, you are appearances alongside each other – heading to the Championship, they cannot be compared. otherwise known as Premier League

Anyhow, on every level it seems, Two.

Hayes could not be happier in her In the meantime, you are current role and it would take one competing in a very good league, a heck of an offer from somewhere to very competitive league. You are managing your club against big clubs.

You are taking your club to Sunderland, to do battle with Lee Johnson. You are taking your club to

Ipswich, to cross swords with Paul Lambert.

You are trying to develop players that could be worth millions to your club.

You are catching the eye of clubs further up the food chain.

You never know. For a manager, it is not the only path but the lower leagues can provide a route to the Premier League. Just ask David Moyes, Chris Wilder, or Dean Smith.

Hayes (right) is at the very top of the women’s game and if she would not even consider trading that position for one in the third rung of the men’s game, then fair enough.

But offering her that chance would not be insulting.

In fact, it would give her a chance to be a trailblazer, a trail that could lead to the very top of the men’s game.

And when a female coach is given and takes that chance, it will not just be a step forward for the men’s game or a step forward for the women’s game.

It will be a step forward for the game, full stop.