Fans have expressed their admiration for Chelsea Women manager Emma Hayes after she delivered a powerful speech on maintaining standards following a 1-1 draw against Brighton.
The 46-year-old has been tipped by many to become the first woman in history to take charge of a professional men's team.
Hayes, who was recently nominated for the FA Women's Super League Manager of the Month award, was reportedly on AFC Wimbledon's shortlist back in 2021, when they were looking for a new head coach.
Advert
And the hugely successful Hayes has previously declared her desire to work in the men's game one day.
"All coaches aspire to be at the best level they can get to, and I'm no different," she told the Daily Mail. "If it happened for me that the next opportunity was in the men's game, then I'd welcome that."
Hayes has developed a no-excuses culture during her ten-year spell at Chelsea and her demanding, but fair, style of management was highlighted throughout DAZN's six-part documentary on the Women's Super League side.
Advert
In episode two of the YouTube series, for example, Hayes displayed her no-nonsense approach when the Blues needed a stoppage-time equaliser from Adelina Engman to rescue a point at Brighton in September 2019.
It was a disappointing result for Chelsea, who were expected to walk all over their opponents, and the Camden-born manager made her feelings known after the full-time whistle.
You can see the clip of that team talk from DAZN's YouTube channel below.
Hayes was in no mood for excuses. "Some of you haven't been good enough," she says. "We expect more. You should expect more. So many of you were sh*t.
Advert
"It felt like Deja vu from last year. This is business. Is the consequence that clear in your mind? If it isn't, you need to become clear. This is fu*king Chelsea. We demand a lot from this environment. We will give you everything. You [have to] put it in.
"I have to say to you... get better or I'll get someone else in. Wake up."
In a separate clip from the club's training ground in Cobham, Hayes brilliantly explained her role within the team.
"I'm the leader. I drive the standards. If I don't set the tone, then I might as well be at another club," she says.
Advert
"I'm not someone who enjoys being in second place. I've got no interest in losing medals. I just think about what do I need to do to make sure we're in a winning position for the next time."
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers recently praised Hayes for her “amazing” work in helping women's football progress.
And last year, former England forward Eni Aluko hailed the Chelsea Women's manager as “one of the best coaches in the world."
Advert
Speaking to talkSPORT, Aluko said: “Emma Hayes has been a visionary for the game. She has been a real trailblazer, pioneer and successful as well.
“She mentors a lot of female coaches, so she’s an important person in football. It’s a thoroughly deserved honour.
“Emma’s one of the best coaches in the world, so her analysis is a given. I don’t know why people are surprised by that.
“She’s really just communicating what she’s communicating daily to her team. That’s been really refreshing to see the voice of a female coach hold weight in the game. We need more of that.
“It was great to see Brendan Rodgers really shine a light on Emma and again, just endorse female coaches in the game because I think there should be way more female coaches in the men’s game."
Aluko added: “There are a lot of men’s coaches in the women’s game and we’ve got to see more women going the other way. I think Emma’s definitely one that can do that.
“Ironically, I think if Emma was the assistant for someone like Brendan Rodgers, it would be a great move.
“I’m not trying to be controversial here and tell her to leave Chelsea, but for the future, I think it would be good to see female coaches working in the men’s game.
“I don’t think we’re far away. Already, you’re seeing an exposure to women’s coaches like Emma from the men’s game and I think punditry helps that.”
Topics: Emma Hayes, Chelsea, Brighton And Hove Albion, Womens Super League
Jack Kenmare