Double-winning boss Hayes quells talk of Chelsea departure
EMMA HAYES moved to dismiss concerns over her Chelsea future and declared her team would “go down in history” after their thrilling FA Cup Final win over Manchester City at Wembley yesterday.
The Blues secured a domestic double as they triumphed 3-2 in extra-time at the end of a see-saw encounter in front of a crowd of 49,094 at the national stadium — a competition record.
Chelsea were twice pegged back in normal time, Lauren Hemp cancelling out Sam Kerr’s opener before Hayley Raso’s 89th-minute strike forced extra time after Erin Cuthbert’s sensational effort had restored their lead.
But Kerr struck again midway through the first additional period, as the Blues continued their dominance of the English game after defending their Women’s Super League crown last weekend.
“Honestly, those women will go down in history,” Hayes said. “I will look back in 10 years’ time and be thinking that group is immense. It’s the best team I’ve ever coached.
“I understand that we always want to talk about perfection in football, but having been on the winning side more often than not, it’s about human endeavour — and we have a group who do exactly what we said. They are not going to be on the losing team, they’ll find a way.”
It was Kerr whose brilliant double on the final day of the WSL season a week earlier had helped the Blues come from behind to beat Manchester United and pip Arsenal to the title by a single point.
The Australian had also scored twice at Wembley in last season’s delayed FA Cup Final win over the Gunners — and Hayes was once again left lauding her gung-ho forward.
“To find the winning goal was so gutsy,” she added. “I always felt, ‘give
Sam one chance, just one chance’. There was a moment in the game when I thought she was knackered, but she just digs and digs and digs. We’ve got an amazing centre-forward.”
Hayes will, no doubt, have been waking up with a sore head this morning, having pledged to enjoy “copious amounts of champagne — bottles of it” and ensure that “someone carries me home” following the celebrations of her fourth FA Cup triumph with the club.
The 45-year-old has now spent a decade in charge of the London side, also winning five WSL titles and two League Cups during her reign.
There has been speculation that Hayes, who has in the past been linked with jobs in the men’s game, could decide to walk away, with little left to achieve beyond a maiden Champions League success, which looks a tall order given Barcelona’s supremacy.
But when quizzed over her future at full-time, Hayes said: “Everyone knows I’ve got a contract at Chelsea, so what’s the speculation about?
“Maybe there’s a job that you guys are telling me I’m going for that I don’t know about. But as far as I’m concerned, I don’t have to kill any speculation. I’m under contract at Chelsea and there’s nothing to talk about.
“I can’t bear losing — I can’t bear the thought of it. I don’t want to think about it. Losing fuels me. The minute I feel any of them coming close, I just want to get better.”