Emma Hayes leaves Chelsea after 11 years in charge

Chelsea Women’s manager Emma Hayes will depart the club at the end of the season, the WSL side said on Saturday after Chelsea defeated Aston Villa 0-6.

The highly decorated English manager will pursue a new opportunity outside of the WSL and club football, the statement said.

Emma Hayes OBE joined the reigning double winners in 2012 and during her tenure with the club won six FA WSL titles, five Women’s FA Cups, two FA Women’s League Cups, one FA Women’s Spring Series trophy and one FA Women’s Community Shield.

Emma guided the team to a historic double on two occasions and achieved one domestic treble.

She has been named FA WSL Manager of the Season on six occasions and LMA WSL Manager of the Season five times. She was inducted into the WSL Hall of Fame in 2021.

“Emma has been one of the biggest drivers of change in women’s football. Her achievements at Chelsea are unrivalled and will live in the club’s history forever,” co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said on Chelsea website.

“Given everything she has contributed to Chelsea in over a decade with the club, and the legacy she leaves behind, we would never stand in her way when she felt it was the right time to pursue a new challenge.

“We are pleased that she will remain with the club for the remainder of the season to give us the time to identify her successor.

“There will be plenty of time to celebrate Emma’s many achievements at the club and to give her the farewell she deserves, but for now, as she always has been, Emma Hayes will be solely focused on making this season as successful as possible for Chelsea.”

Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali added “Emma Hayes’ contribution to Chelsea cannot be understated. She has been a pioneer in women’s football and is hugely respected within the game. We look forward to continuing to work together over the coming months.”