Hayes addresses USA job 'split' as Chelsea focus turns back to Champions League
Emma Hayes has insisted there is no "split" of her time between Chelsea and the USWNT ahead of joining her new employer next summer.
Hayes announced earlier this month that she would be stepping down from her role as head coach at Chelsea and was subsequently confirmed as the next permanent USA women's coach, a role she begins next summer prior to the Olympic Games. The 47-year-old first took over the West London side in 2012 and has won six WSL titles and five Women's FA Cups.
She will take up her new position with the USWNT at the end of the European club season in May, with the Champions League final on May 26 targeted to be her dream last game with Chelsea. Hayes' team face Paris FC on Thursday night at Stamford Bridge, looking to maintain an unbeaten start in Group D after last week's draw with Real Madrid.
Since the announcement, questions have been raised over precisely what involvement Hayes will have with the USA before taking up the role permanently next June. But ahead of their clash with Paris, the Blues boss insisted her full focus is on Chelsea until the end of the season.
"There is no split (between the two) my time is here with Chelsea," Hayes said. "Since I've been appointed as the coach I've had conversations with people to establish there are full-time people in post.
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"I will be there in May. When the opportunity arises I will have conversations with Twila Kilgore (Current interim USWNT coach and Hayes' future assistant) but my full focus is on Chelsea."
USA have upcoming games in the women's December international break. The former World Cup winners take on China in a double header, while Chelsea will have the luxury of a rare weekend off.
But Hayes says she is still mulling over the possibility of heading over to Florida to watch her future team. "I haven't decided yet," added Hayes. "I'm certainly focused on the next couple of games. If I don't travel then I'll certainly take a zoom call where possible.
"But I'm not watching them (USA players) I'm watching my own team and I'm watching our competition. That is work for Twila and the other full-time staff there. I don't start working for US Soccer until May."
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