Hayes: Time we moved from FA
CHELSEA head coach Emma Hayes believes the Premier League needs to take over the Women’s Super League to continue the evolution of the women’s game in this country.
The Football Association currently run the women’s league and Baroness Sue Campbell, the FA’s director of women’s football, recently said “we absolutely want the league to be run independently of us”.
And Hayes, who today celebrates her 10th anniversary as Blues boss, says now is the time for change after the Lionesses’ stunning Euro 2022 victory.
She said: “The next step is the league leaving the FA and going to the Premier League or an independent body so we don’t just have single big moments – single events once every two years or once a year – that they’re every week.
“We need the expertise coming into the game.
“For me that is hands down the next step and I’ve been really vocal about it because you need experience.
“That’s not the FA’s responsibility, they don’t run leagues. It’s not their job to do that, they’re there for the national team.”
The diversity of players produced in the game in this country has also come into question.
And Hayes, who grew up on a council estate in Camden, thinks more has to be done to create an academy system to find inner-city talent.
“The academies are one thing in the men’s game that is lightyears ahead of the women’s game,” she added.
“I read something the other day about a lost generation of inner city kids. It drives me insane we haven’t found them.”
Hayes’ Chelsea face West Ham at Stamford Bridge in their opening game of the WSL season on September 11.