Emma Hayes hits nail on the head as Chelsea boss asked about links to men's game

31 August 2023 , 14:57

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Emma Hayes believes the women's game shouldn't be viewed as a stepping stone into men's football

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes insists that managing a women's team should not be perceived as a "stepping stone" into the men's game amid long-running speculation over her managerial future.

Hayes took charge of the Blues in 2012 and has since gone on to become one of the most decorated managers in world football, having scooped 14 major honours during her tenure at Kingsmeadow. She has long been linked with a move into the men's game and was tipped to take over as boss of EFL side AFC Wimbledon in February 2021.

Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman is the latest women's coach to be linked to a move to the men's game, with some suggesting she could succeed Gareth Southgate as England men's boss or take charge of the Netherlands men's national team in the near future. However, Hayes believes it's unfair to view women's football as a lesser entity than its male counterpart and says she is already coaching at an elite level.

Speaking on BBC Woman's Hour, Hayes said: "All the time [I'm] just being reminded of my place and that 'the women’s game doesn’t bring in much revenue' or 'you shouldn't be above the level of a League Two manager or a Championship manager' and all of those things.

"Also, just the constant questioning of when am I going into the men’s game. The women’s game is a high level and I work with world-class athletes. I don’t mean to talk negatively about any male team or male club but the reality is I already coach elite players and I think it’s important to see that in its own right instead of it being a stepping stone to something."

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It's not the first time Hayes has publicly spoken out about the importance of valuing the women's game. Speaking in 2021, Hayes said: "I just don't know anybody would ever think women's football is a step down and coaching World Cup winners, players who have represented their countries in the Olympics or European Championships is a step down from anything.

"I think the football world needs to wake up and recognise that, while the game is played by a different gender, it is exactly the same sport. The qualities involved with having to manage that are exactly the same as it would be for a men's team. We're talking about human beings here.

"I'm the manager of Chelsea, I manage and represent elite, world class players and this, for me, is an amazing job that I've spent nine years cultivating all my energy into. I'm not looking for another job; I'm blessed with working with wonderful humans day in, day out."

Beth Lindop