WSL Hall of Famer Jill Scott gives verdict on Emma Hayes leaving Chelsea
Jill Scott is “sad” to see the Women’s Super League losing its “most successful” manager in Chelsea boss Emma Hayes.
Scott, who retired from professional football last year, was one of three legends inducted into the WSL Hall of Fame on Monday night, alongside former England team mates Anita Asante and Ellen White. She joins illustrious company from the women’s game with previous inductees including Rachel Yankey and Fara Williams, as well as Hayes.
Hayes will leave the Blues at the end of this season having led the club to six WSL titles since taking over in 2012. Reports suggest she will take over the USA women’s national team, although Hayes has so far refused to be drawn on the links.
Speaking as she was inducted at the National Football Museum in Manchester, Scott said that Hayes deserves the chance to take on a new challenge but admitted it will be a blow for the league.
“Obviously, she's had a fantastic time with Chelsea," said Scott. “In terms of where they were, to where they are now and she really has built that team up in the best possible way.
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“I know every single player who has played under Emma just says that her emotional intelligence and how she gets the best out of the players is just on another level. And I think our success and her record speaks for that.
“So I think it's sad for the WSL, we're going to be losing one of the best managers, well definitely the most successful manager that has ever managed in it. But I'm excited for her next challenge. I think she deserves that. It's kind of like she's completed WSL, hasn't she?”
Chelsea currently sit top of the WSL and are unbeaten going into this weekend’s clash with Liverpool. They also kick off their final Champions League campaign under Hayes on Wednesday night against Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Europe’s top prize remains the only competition Hayes is yet to win in her tenure at Stamford Bridge. And Scott doesn’t believe the announcement of her departure will negatively impact the Blues’ season.
“I don’t think it’ll impact Chelsea’s year this season,” added Scott. “They've still got Emma, they've got the coaching staff. If anything, they're probably going to want to give her the best send-off ever, because that's definitely what she deserves. So, if you're asking if I think it'll affect the season, I think it'll only affect it in a positive way.”
Emma Hayes will leave Chelsea at the end of this season after a decade in chargeScott, who finished up with 174 appearances in her WSL career, won the title in 2016 with Manchester City. She also won three FA Cups and three Conti League Cups during a glittering club career.
And the Sunderland-born star admitted the league’s evolution into one of the best of the world, with standards on the pitch consistently rising, was one of the factors in her retirement.
Scott added: “When I look at the midfielders I used to play against, obviously, I played top league before it was WSL, so when I was playing against the likes of Katie Chapman and Fara Williams, players like that, we used to have such big battles.
Scott has moved into television punditry and a media career since retiring after Euro 2022 (Robin Jones/Getty Images)“And I think I wanted to then pass that baton on, in terms of bringing that competitiveness into the league. We showed how much it meant to play for our club, no matter who that was.
“So, I hope now that that baton has been passed on, and if you look at where the game is now, I think technically, tactically, the level has just gone through the roof.
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“It's probably one of the reasons that I retired, But it's just great to sit here and see where the league is now. There is so much interest now in the women's game. And that's because of how good the product is, I’m just excited for where it's going to go in the next 13 years.”
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